Wilpattu National Park

A top national park in the globe known for its leopard population is Wilpattu. In the survey region, a sample of 49 individual leopards were photographed, and the core area density was comparable to that of Horton Plains National Park and Block I of Yala National Park. Littoral vegetation, like salt grass and low scrub, monsoon forest with tall emergents, like palu (Manilkara hexandra), satin (Chloroxylon swietenia), milla (Vitex altissima), weera (Drypetes sepiaria), ebony (Diospyros ebenum), and wewarna, are among the many types of vegetation that can be found in Wilpattu (Alseodaphne semecapriflolia).

There are 31 different animal species recorded in Wilpattu National Park. Elephants, sloth bears, leopards, and water buffalo are among the mammals classified as threatened species that reside in Wilpattu National Park. Wilpattu also has sambhur, spotted deer, mongoose, mouse, and shrew as occupants.

At Wilpattu National Park, you can see the painted stork, the open bill, the little cormorant, the Sri Lankan junglefowl (Gallus lafayetii), as well as numerous species of owls, terns, gulls, eagles, kites, and buzzards. Garganey, pintail, whistling teal, spoonbill, white ibis, huge white egret, cattle egret, and purple heron are among the wetlands bird species that can be spotted in Wilpattu.

The monitor lizard, mugger crocodile, common cobra, rat snake, Indian python, pond turtle, and soft-shelled turtle are the most prevalent reptiles in the park and may be found in the sizable permanent Villus.

The existence of “Willus” (Natural lakes), which are sand-rimmed water basins or depressions that naturally fill with rains, is what makes Wilpattu National Park special. There are roughly 60 lakes (Willu) and tanks located throughout Wilpattu. Located in Sri Lanka’s dry lowland northwest coast.

The park is situated 26 kilometers north of Puttalam and 30 kilometers west of Anuradhapura. 1,317 square kilometers make up the park (131, 693 hectares). February and October are the ideal months to travel to Wilpattu. A few private ecotourism organizations offer safari-style tours of the area for visitors. The region was given the status of sanctuary in 1905, and then National Park in 1938.