Endemic Animals of Sri Lanka

2011-01-15T05:22:00.000-08:00

Largest, and perhaps best known of the Sri Lankan wildlife is the Asian Elephant Elephus maximus. The Asian elephant differs from its cousin, the African elephant, in several ways: the Asian is smaller, with shorter ears, a single (not double) "finger" at the end of the trunk, a more rounded back, and 4 nails, instead of 3, on its hind feet. It also has a personality that allows it to be domesticated. That is not to say that when a wild elephant chooses to cross your path in a park you don't get out of its way -- you do! Even in a big vehicle! Sir Lankan elephants don't carry a lot of ivory: most females and many of the males have no tusks at all. Asian elephants live in groups of about 10 animals led by older female. Young males are banished from the group to fend for themselves, although they often form small bachelor herds.

Their are 2 subspecies in the country: Elephus maximus maximus (the Ceylon elephant) and Elephus maximus vilaliya (the Ceylon marsh elephant) and both are listed as endangered. It is estimated that there are perhaps 2500 wild elephants in the country now, as opposed to over 12,000 in 1900. Most live in 7 of the 10 major national parks. Wild elephants that venture into farmlands can sometimes be transported to the parks to live.

2011-01-12T04:44:00.000-08:00

Elephant: Sri Lanka has an elephant population about 2,500 - 3,000, which is quite large considering the area of the island. As such, the chances of sighting this enormous herbivore is quite high. Elephants are best seen in the Yala National Park, 309 kms south of Colombo; Uda Walawe, 170 kms from Colombo and Gal Oya National Park at Inginiyagala, 314 kms from Colombo. Besides, there is also an orphanage for elephants at Pinnawela, 90 kms from Colombo.The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

2011-01-07T06:58:00.001-08:00

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

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Endemic Birds of Sri Lanka

2010-12-18T22:35:00.000-08:00

Sri Lanka is a birds paradise with 435 resident species. There are 26 endemic birds. Most of them are found in the wet zone. The winter migrants come from distant Siberia and western Europe. The reservoirs attract vast number of water birds. The forests attract many other species. There are many birds sanctuaries across the little island 270 km by 140 km in size.

Kumana is situated in east Coast, Bundala, Kalamatiya are is in the southern coast, Sinharaja Rain Forest
, Udawatta Kale,
Bellanwila, Muthurajawela, Minneriya, Kitulgala and Minipe are other important Bird watching locations
~~In additions you can see birds through out the country in pockets of forests, lakes, lagoons and river sides during your travel.~~

26 birds have been identified as endemic birds of Sri Lanka. Most of this birds are threatened by rapid destruction of forest and drying off of water flows.