"The Udawalawe National Park situated in the dry zone of the country and belonging to Sabaragamuwa and Uva provinces. The park area is 30,821 ha in area and was established in 1972.
The park consists of dry lowland forest, riverine forest, thorny scrublands and grasslands. One special attraction of the park is the Udawalawe reservoir and the Walawe River which flows through the park.
Udawalawe National Park is world famous for its large elephant population. In this park elephants can be seen at any time of the day. Crocodiles, water buffalo, spotted and barking deer, wild boar, sambur, jackal and ruddy, grey and striped necked mongoose are also found in this park. Though the leopard, jungle and fishing cats have recorded in the park sightings are very rare.
The park is also famous for birdlife. Crested serpent eagle, changeable hawk eagle, white-bellied sea eagle and grey-headed fishing eagle are the main raptors found in the park. Painted stork, open bill, little and Indian cormorant, Indian darter, many species of waders are also found within the park. Among the forest birds are the warblers, Sri Lanka Jungle fowl, Malabar pied hornbill, Sikir Malkoha, Blue face Malkoha, common Caucal, and grey hornbill..
The park consists of dry lowland forest, riverine forest, thorny scrublands and grasslands. One special attraction of the park is the Udawalawe reservoir and the Walawe River which flows through the park.
Udawalawe National Park is world famous for its large elephant population. In this park elephants can be seen at any time of the day. Crocodiles, water buffalo, spotted and barking deer, wild boar, sambur, jackal and ruddy, grey and striped necked mongoose are also found in this park. Though the leopard, jungle and fishing cats have recorded in the park sightings are very rare.
The park is also famous for birdlife. Crested serpent eagle, changeable hawk eagle, white-bellied sea eagle and grey-headed fishing eagle are the main raptors found in the park. Painted stork, open bill, little and Indian cormorant, Indian darter, many species of waders are also found within the park. Among the forest birds are the warblers, Sri Lanka Jungle fowl, Malabar pied hornbill, Sikir Malkoha, Blue face Malkoha, common Caucal, and grey hornbill..