 |
| The gentle giant |
 |
| Mother's love |
 |
| Proud pea-cock |
 |
| Painted Stork |
 | |
| Crocodile rock |
Yala was designated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1900, and, along with Wilpattu it was one of the first two national parks in Sri Lanka, having been designated in 1938.
The park is best known for its variety of wild animals. It is important for the conservation of Sri Lankan Elephants and aquatic birds.
Yala hosts a variety of ecosystems ranging from moist monsoon forests to freshwater and marine wetlands. It is one of the 70 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in Sri Lanka. Yala harbours 215 bird species including six endemic species of Sri Lanka.
The number of mammals that has been recorded from the park is 44, and it has one of the highest leopard densities in the world.
The area around Yala has hosted several ancient civilisations. Two important pilgrim sites, Sithulpahuwa and Magul Vihara, are situated within the park.
The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami caused severe damage on the Yala National Park and 250 people died in its vicinity.
 |
| In memory of Tsunami victims |
