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Sunday, 27 February 2005 |
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Junior Observer | ![]() |
News Business Features |
Yala National Park : Wild 'n' wonderful
Leopards prowling on trees, sunning themselves on high rocks, resting in the cool shade of shrubs and bushes, or yawning away their languor. Who would not like to see them in the wild, though a little scared of the free animals? Do you know where you can see these leopards and tuskers? Yes. It is the Yala National Park. Situated about 300 kilo metres away from Colombo, in the South Eastern part of the island, Yala is a large national park with a total extent of about 129,700 hectares, comprising five blocks. It is a Strict Nature Reserve.
Yala's large mammals include the elephant, leopard, sloth bear and wild buffaloa. Another large animal is the crocodile. Both the freshwater and the estuarine crocodile are seen in Yala. Spotted deer is a mammal commonly seen in Yala. About 7.00 in the morning, you can see many herds grazing in the grass patches, or marshy land near the freshwater bodies. Though numerous, the deer is the main food of the leopard. Sambhur, wild boar, civet cats, many kinds of rabbits, mongooses and monkeys could also be seen in Yala.
There are other colourful birds as well, including different species of kingfishers, parrots and sunbirds. Two large birds that attract your attention are hornbills and eagles. The waders or shorebirds is another group of birds that cannot be forgotten. They seem to be fond of Yala's many lagoons and freshwater bodies. Starting with more common egrets and cormorants, you can feast your eyes on large groups of painted storks. Sandpipers, sand plovers, black necked storks, spoon bills, yellow and red wattle lapwings are some of the other birds usually seen at these water bodies. Its close proximity to the sea makes Yala an ideal place to watch sea birds as well.
Though studies and research still continue, it is believed that Yala is populated by nearly a 100 species of reptiles. Though the land monitor, lizard varieties and crocodiles are commonly seen, tortoises, gekhos, snakes and five species of turtles are also seen in Yala. A much talked about park, Yala came into the limelight again, through the recent tsunami, for many parts of the park were destroyed by the raging waves.
V.F. *********** 1) Sand dunes |
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