Designated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1900, the park consists of over 215 bird species and six endemic species in Sri Lanka. There have been an approximate 44 mammals recorded in the park and it is said that Yala has the highest concentration of leopards in the world.
History
In 1560, Spanish cartographer Cipriano Sanchez proclaimed the land as baron and abandoned due to insalubrious conditions. However, in 1900, the government proclaimed Yala and Wilpattu forests under the Forest Ordinance.
Physical features
Yala is in the lowest peneplain of Sri Lanka, extending from Trincomalee to Hambantota. It is a flat and slightly wavy land that consists of two types of soil, a reddish brown and humus grey type soil. Its hosts a vast species of birds, mammals, flora and fauna.
Tourism
In 2002, there was a recorded 156,867 tourists who visited the park, however due to the Tsunami in 2004 and the civil war in the country, numbers became slightly lower. But since of late, after the end of the war, the numbers are slowly rising over the years and tourism is booming In Sri Lanka. Luxury resorts are in plenty around the area and offer wildlife tours of the Yala national park to their guests with personalized guides to accompany them. The Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort is a luxury resort just two hours from the Yala national park. They will be able to help organize a tour of the park for you and your guests.
Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+
