Highest Density of Endemic Birds –

Sri Lanka is home to 33 endemic bird species. The total number of bird species recorded in the island is over 500 of which 223 are breeding residents. BirdLife International recognizes Sri Lanka as one of the world’s Endemic Bird Areas. So Trails Safari invites you to explore this and witness the beauty.

Mammals in Natural Habitat –

Terrestrial

Wild Elephants –

The Sri Lankan elephant (Elephas maximus maximus) is one of three recognized subspecies of the Asian elephant, and native to Sri Lanka. Since 1986, Elephas maximus has been listed as endangered by IUCN.
Elephas maximus maximus is the type subspecies of the Asian elephant, first described by Carl Linnaeus under the binominal Elephas maximus in 1758.

The Sri Lankan elephant population is now largely restricted to the dry zone in the north, east and southeast of Sri Lanka. Elephants are present in Udawalawe National Park, Yala National Park, Lunugamvehera National Park, Wilpattu National Park and Minneriya National Park but also live outside protected areas. It is estimated that Sri Lanka has the highest density of elephants in Asia.

Leopard-

The Sri Lankan leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya) is a leopard subspecies native to Sri Lanka that was first described in 1956 by the Sri Lankan zoologist Deraniyagala. In 2008, the Sri Lankan leopard was listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. The wild population is roughly estimated at 700–950 individuals as of 2015. Chance of spotting them is high in Yala, Wilpatthu and Horton Plains National parks.

Sloth Bear –

The Sri Lankan sloth bear (Melursus ursinus inornatus) is a subspecies of the sloth bear and found mainly in lowland dry forests in the island of Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan sloth bear is omnivorous. There is high chance in spotting at Wasgamuwa, Yala and Wilpattu National Parks.

Other Species –

There are 125 mammal species in Sri Lanka, of which 21 are endemic, 1 is critically endangered, 10 are endangered, 10 are vulnerable, and 3 are near-threatened. Majority of large mammals can be observed in national parks.

Ocean

Wales & Dolphins –

Whale and dolphin watching is one of the most exciting water activities you can do in Sri Lanka during stay. Mirissa is the best place to start your whale and dolphin watching tour in Sri Lanka.
In warm Indian Ocean you can see Blue whales, Bryde´s whales, Sperm whales, Fin whales, sometimes Killer whales, and Common dolphins, Bottlenose dolphins, Spinner dolphins, Risso’s dolphins and Striped dolphins.

Best period for Whale watching in Mirissa is November and ends in April.
Kalpitiya is the most fascinating destination for Doplphin watching and best period to be there is mid-November to mid-March

Cave Mammals

Bats are the cave mammals found in Sri Lanka. There are 30 species of bats and most of them are Microchiropterans (Insect eating bats). Wawulapane cave in Embilipitiya is the best place to see large colonies of cave bats. In addition many of prehistoric caves such as Batadomba lena in Kuruwita, Pahiyangala in Bulathsinhala and Belilena in Kitulgala are also suitable for bats watching. Other than that Frugivorous or fruit eating large bats are found in urban areas of Sri Lanka including the Victoria Park in Colombo, Peradeniya Botanical Gardens and Mawanella twon.

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