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| Sunday, 28 August 2005 |
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Junior Observer |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Udawalawe National Park : A journey through nature's wonders
This is just another morning at the famous Udawalawe National Park, an ideal haunt for many of you who wish to watch your favourite giant mammals, the elephants. The Park is popular among locals and foreigners alike, for its varied mammals, birds and unique scenic beauty. The main advantage of spending a day at the Udawalawe National Park is the possibility of viewing the majestic elephants in large herds at very close range. The large water reservoir in the park attract many elephants, giving elephant lovers an opportunity to watch them at close range. This is the fifth National Park in the country, and it was declared so on June 30, 1972 due to its unique bio-diversity. With over 30,821 hectares, the Park lies in the dry zone. It receives an annual rainfall of about 1,524 mm. The day and night temperatures are 29 degrees centigrades and 24 degrees centigrades restpectively. The Udawalawe National Park lies both in Sabaragamuwa and Uva provinces. The Udawalawa Reservoir and much of its catchments in the Park provide a serene and harmonious environment for its many inhabitants.
Some of the endemic animals found here are the golden palm civet, three species of mongoose (Herpestes fuscus, Herpestes smithil and Herpestes vitticollis), an endemic shrew, (animal like a mouse), soft-furred field rat and the Indian bush rat. Udawalawe National Park is also home to the toque macaque, jackal, sloth bear, toddy cat, leopard and black naped hare. The avifauna is another attraction of this park. Many bird watchers make their way to Udawalawe to watch rare water birds and endemic bird species in Sri Lanka. You can observe a large number of warblers and low-country birds too in the forest areas. The green canopies in the Park are great roosting places for birds. The predominant ecosystem of the park is the forest area with scattered grasslands and thorny-shrubs. Satin, halmilla, ebony, ehala, kolon, milla, kon, and kunumella are the tree species in the park. Kumbuk and the endemic mandorang grow in riverrine forest and scrub dominated by mana, illuk and pohon. The large reservoir in the park is a frequent resting place for water birds including resident and migratory birds. Among them are the Indian cormorant and Osprey. The park is a breeding ground for endemic birds like the Sri Lanka spurfowl, Sri Lanka junglefowl, Malabar pied hornbill, Sri Lanka grey hornbill and the brown-capped babbler.A day at the Udawalawe National Park is not only a happy holiday, but also a journey through nature's wonders which will enhance your knowledge about bio-diversity. Easy access to the Park The main entrance to the Park is at the 7th milepost on Udawalawe Thanamalvila road. The access from Colombo, which takes three to four hours drive, is via Ratnapura, Pelmadulla and Colombage Ara junction along Pelmadulla-Embilipitiya Road. - Shanika Sriyananda *** Fact file * Toque macaque is a frugivorous (fruite eating) species, but it also consumes flowers and insects. It will also raid crops and garbage dumps. It has cheek pouches to carry food in, while it forages. The male is around 5.7 kilograms and the female is around 3.6 kilograms. The adult male sometimes has a red face. The female gives birth to a single offspring. * Barking deer - These shy and elusive members of the deer family, named after their call which sounds very much like the bark of a dog, live in solitude and are rarely seen in numbers exceeding two. They grow to a height of 50-75 cm and weigh 20-30 kg. Their main diet consists of grass and fallen fruits. * Golden palm civet- They live in dense forests and feed on lizards, birds, frogs, insects, berries and fruits. They spend the day sleeping on the trees. Their coat is a goldish brown colour with the hair on the back of their necks growing in the reverse grain, from the shoulders toward the bend. |
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The sun is bright and the wind is strong. Birds rest on shady trees
chirping happily. In the grassland near the small lake, a cow elephant is
grazing. The baby elephant, which was born a few weeks ago, is playing and
running around his mama. Three giant elephants are also grazing around
them, while keeping a watchful eye on the baby elephant's mischievous
behaviour. 
If you want to listen to a barking deer, then the Udawalawe Park will
be the right choice for you to enjoy their barking sounds coming from the
wild. Sambur, spotted deer, wild boar and water buffaloes are the other
mammals in the park. The availability of water and food in abundance in
the Park has made it home for some rare and endemic species. 
