Roaming in Wilpattu

Ashirdani Bhagya

As the largest and the oldest sanctuary in Sri Lanka, Wilpattu sanctuary became well-known South Asian sanctuary among the travellers. Since this sanctuary established in 1938, yet it has many unchangeable experiences that adapted with lovely wildness.

Land of lakes, so-called Wilpattu because it is originally formed part of the land, belonging to lake site. “Willu” is a word for lakes. This park has many natural lakes spread throughout the land.

Those are flat ground like basins shape, surrounded by sandy walls. Lakes often have reserved rain water and various grown plants in the lake increase the pretty look of the lakes.

There are nearly 40 large and small willu’s in the park and 27 of them are very large. Kokkariya and Lunuvila lakes are the main lakes that nourish the area with rivers. Some of those lakes filled with sea water and some are filled with fresh water which would not run dry even in the dry season. Those lakes give an impressive of nature and bliss to the sanctuary.

According to the diary of Wildlife Department that February – March inter monsoon season is the perfect time to enjoy the wild life in Wilpattu sanctuary.

This sanctuary lais its one border on the West coastal area in Puttalam. Mannar districts and its East part has been defined by North Central province. It has an area of ground covered with 1,316,671 km2, which situated is semi dry zone.

High leopard density of the area has often encourages the visitors to watch leopards there as it is famous park for watching leopards (Panthera pardus kotiya). Though it is hardly to be seen them in common areas in the park, keep cautious eye on around the leopard-crossings, large rocks or water holes, where leopards can be found.

This predator is the most picturesque mammal to see as long as can be wait upon on those spots.

Leopard (Panthera kotiya) is the biggest species among the other wild cats in Sri Lanka.

Asian elephant (Elephas maximus maximus), the other pride creature in this home of jungle can be found roam in open areas such as meadows, planes, and lakes that situated in several blocks. Tuskers are not so difficult to be seen in the park.

As the commenest mammal, spotted Deer (Axis axis ceyloennsis) going place to place with continuous watchfull google eyes come across in 50-60 in herds. Among them, mature Deers have grown horns, which always use in fights, Sambar (Cervus unicolor) and number of Water Buffalos (bubalus bubalis,) Wild Boar, Jackal, copper colored mongoose, turtles, porcupine and Sloth Bear grab the interest of the park attractively. Wilpattu has more grassy plains where the avifauna species are habitating. There are many varieties such as Peacocks which has tail feathers open as a fan, Grey Horn Bill, Jungle Fowl (Galus lafayettei), Indian Comarant Brown Capped Babbler and other bird species in low country can be notifying. Vibrant migrants such as pelicans also included.

Willpattu has an ideal setting of aesthetic disposition for wild life photography. Colourful soil and rocks make more fascinate surrounding in Kudiramalay rock area. This North West beach scape along the park border has made out, spectacular and magnificiant feature of the park.

Plenty full of various exotic in the forest provide healthy habitat to all species. Semi dry zone trees, planes, water course by the river vegitation types such as scattered grasslands, thorny-shurbs have build predominant eco system of the land. It also brings very good conservation to all kind of creatures. And also signs of prehistoric ruins added extra value to the sanctuary too.

Park’s acces from Colombo to Puttalam roadway lead to Wilpattu junction then drives 8 km to the park office in Hunuvilagama which 185km far from Colombo.

Wilpattu is a sanctuary that reflects its own picturesque surrounding with unforgetting experiences which should not skip when travel in Sri Lanka.