Elephants in Sri Lanka Udawalawe National Park Magnet

Udawalawe National Park, established on June 30, 1972, is a prominent wildlife sanctuary situated on the boundary of Sri Lanka's Sabaragamuwa and Uva Provinces. Spanning approximately 30,821 hectares, the park was created to provide a sanctuary for wild animals displaced by the construction of the Udawalawe Reservoir on the Walawe River. The park's landscape is chraacterised by open grasslands, scrublands, and wetlands, with the Udawalawe Reservoir serving as a central feature. This diverse habitat supports a rich array of flora and fauna, making it a vital ecological zone in Sri Lanka. Udawalawe is renowned for its significant population of Sri Lankan elephants (Elephas maximus maximus), with estimates ranging from 250 to 600 individuals residing within the park. These elephants are often observed in herds, particularly around the reservoir and in the park's grasslands. In addition to elephants, the park is home to various other wildlife species, including water buffalo, crocodiles, monkeys, and a diverse range of bird species such as the red-faced malkoha, grey hornbill, and Sri Lanka junglefowl. The Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home, established in 1995, plays a crucial role in rehabilitating orphaned elephant calves before their release back into the wild. Visitors to the park can engage in safari tours to observe these majestic creatures in their natural habitat, contributing to both wildlife conservation and eco-tourism