For a small island the biodiversity of the country is most impressive and is ranked amongst the world’s twenty five biodiversity hot spots. This evidenced by the many national parks of which is home for a wide variety of mammals, birds, fish, butterflies and snakes. The big five Sri Lankan wildlife are the elephant, the leopard, the sloth bear, the blue whale and the sperm whale and is renowned as one of the best places to watch elephants and leopards. Well trained field guides are available to those who wish to visit the national parks.
The Yala national park boasts a Leopard density of one per square kilometre. Further the adults and cubs are remarkably relaxed during the day, offering great opportunities for viewing and photography.
Some of the wildlife parks in Sri Lanka are:
- Yala National Park – Most visited, and second-largest in Sri Lanka
- Udawalawe National Park – Famous for Elephant watching
- Kumana National Park – Famous for Bird watching
- Bundala National Park – Famous for Bird watching
- Wasgamuwa National Park – One of the most attractive national parks
- Wilpattu National Park – Largest in Sri Lanka, famous for leopards
- Minneriya National Park – Famous for Elephants
- Horton Plains National Park – Only national park in hill country and famous for sambar
- Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
- Udawalawe Elephant Transit Centre