MINNERIYA NATIONAL PARK

Minneriya National Park is located in North Central Province of Sri Lanka. The
area was designated as a national park in August 1997, having been originally
declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1938. The reason for declaring the area as
protected is to protect the catchment of Minneriya tank and the wildlife of the
surrounding area. The tank is of historical importance, having been built by King
Mahasen in third century AD. The park is a dry season feeding ground for the
Elephant population dwelling in forests of Matale, Polonnaruwa and Trincomalee
districts. Minneriya forms one of the 70 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) of Sri Lanka. The park is situated 182 kms (113 miles) from Colombo. The wet season lasts during the north eastern monsoon from October to January
and from May to September considered as the dry season. The main habitats of
Minneriya are of several types, including low-canopy montane forests, intermediate high-canopy secondary forests, scrublands, abandoned chena lands, grasslands, rocky outcrops and wetlands. Large numbers of Sri Lankan elephants are attracted to grass fields on the edges
of the reservoir during the dry season. The Minneriya tank contributes to sustain
a large herd of elephants. Individuals of elephants gathered here is numbering
around 150-200. Some reports account number of elephants to as high as 700. They migrate here from Wasgamuwa National Park and benefited from food and
shelter of the park’s forest. Tourists visit Minneriya largely because of elephants, especially in dry season. The park is also important habitat for the two endemic monkeys of Sri Lanka, purple-faced langur and toque macaque. Large herbivorous mammals such as Sri
Lankan sambar deer and Sri Lankan axis deer also frequent the park. Rare and
endangered species such as Sri Lankan leopard and Sri Lankan sloth bear also
inhabit in Minneriya. Minneriya is one of areas that the gray slender loris is
reportedly found in Sri Lanka. In addition to that, the Minneriya reservoir is an important habitat for large
water birds such as lesser adjutant, painted stork, and spot-billed pelican. Minneriya is a dormitory for many resident as well as migrant bird species. Instances of occurring a flock of 2000 little cormorants have been reported. Great white pelican, ruddy turnstone, and grey heron are the other water birds
can be seen here. Among the endemic birds are Sri Lanka jungle fowl, Sri Lanka
hanging parrot, brown-capped babbler, Sri Lanka grey hornbill, black-crested
bulbul and crimson-fronted barbet. Number of endangered birds recorded from
national park is 11. Amphibians of Fejervaryapulla and Polypedatescruciger have been recorded
from the area. There are eight species of endemic reptiles and all of them are
considered threatened. Painted-lip lizard and Lankascincusfallax are among
them. Saltwater crocodile, Indian python, Asian water monitor, and Bengal
monitor are among the other reptiles. Four of the fresh water fish recorded from
Minneriya is also endemic to Sri Lanka.