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Project Noah Nature School
Elephas maximus maximus
only 10% of even adult males of the Sri Lankan species possess tusks, so thankfully that has helped protect them from the ivory trade poachers. Bundala National Park is an internationally important wintering ground for migratory water birds in Sri Lanka. Bundala harbors 197 species of birds, the highlight being the greater flamingo, which migrate in large flocks. Bundala was designated a wildlife sanctuary in 1969 and redesignated to a national park on 4 January 1993. In 1991 Bundala became the first wetland to be declared as a Ramsar site in Sri Lanka. In 2005 the national park was designated as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO, the fourth biosphere reserve in Sri Lanka
coastal wetland. The area mainly underlain with hornblende-biotite gneiss of the eastern Vijayan series. The low country dry zone climate prevails in the area. The area has an average relative humidity of 80%. The national park contains five shallow, brackish lagoons with salt pans in three. They are Bundala lagoon of 520 hectares (2.0 sq mi), Embilikala Lagoon of 430 hectares (1.7 sq mi), Malala Lagoon of 650 hectares (2.5 sq mi), Koholankala lagoon of 390 hectares (1.5 sq mi), and Mahalewaya of 260 hectares (1.0 sq mi). The Koholankala and Mahalewaya are almost totally developed for salt production. The climatic conditions are tropical monsoonal, with a mean annual temperature of 27 °C (81 °F). Annual rainfall ranges from 900–1,300 millimetres (35–51 in), with dry period persists from May to September. The elevation of the park ranges from sea level to 10 metres (33 ft).The park was affected by 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Due to protection from sand dunes the park received very little damage
I think I saw more wildlife in this park versus the far more popular Yala and Udawalawe National Parks where tourists and locals flock to see the leopards (if they are lucky) and elephants. So not only did I see more species, we had the park to ourselves in peace and quiet without a lot of other noisy safari jeeps to disturb the peace.
Spotted on Jul 15, 2018
Submitted on May 28, 2021
6 Comments
and the trackers are so nice and so knowledgeable, and they only work for tips. I ended up keeping in touch with one of them by email and he helped me ID dozens of photos from other trips. I wired him a nice tip and he told me that he was able to use that to start his own safari business. He was so helpful!
Yes, that's very true, with a short amount of time a safari is a great option!
I was lucky enough to be sent there once a year on business expense to audit activated carbon factories (I certify water filters). each trip I would stay for an extra weekend and do a safari and other sightseeing. So since I didn't have much time, a safari is a chance to see an tremendous amount of wildlife in a very compressed period of time!
Wow 5 times, that's fortunate! I didn't get to Bundala, I'm not a huge birder but I understand its good for a lot of stuff. I didn't do many safaris, I spent most of my time in the forest and only a short time on the coast.
thanks. I have many more elephant spottings yet to post. some from Yala, some from Udawalawe. I agree that Sri Lanka is magic. I went there 5 times. Didi you ever get to Bundala National Park/Bird Sanctuary? I think it is the best of all and so under-rated. Unlike the others, we had it all to ourselves and I saw so many species there--not just birds.
Nice spotting! I saw these as well, I spent 3 months in Sri Lanka a few years ago, fantastic place!