Yala National Park preserves diverse ecosystems in Sri Lanka

Yala National Park, located in southeastern Sri Lanka near Tissamaharama, is one of the country’s largest and oldest protected natural landscapes. Spanning approximately 979 square kilometers, the park features a diverse mosaic of ecosystems, including dry monsoon forests, thorn bush zones, open grasslands, and various freshwater and brackish water areas.

The park is uniquely characterized by its coastal location, where these habitats meet the Indian Ocean, transitioning into mangroves, sand dunes, and beaches. This geographic variety supports a high density of Sri Lankan leopards and over 200 species of birds. Originally designated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1900, the area has been officially managed as a national park since 1938.