The Udawalawe National Park situated in the dry zone of the country and belonging to Sabaragamuwa & Uva provinces. The park area is 30,821 ha. The park was established in 1972. The park lies within dry zone and small segment lies within intermediate zone. The long dry season is characteristic feature. Main source of rainfall is southwest monsoon (May - September) and mean annual rainfall is about 1520mm. the mean annual temperature is around 29C.
Park consists of dry lowland forest, riverine forest, thorny scrublands and grasslands. One special attraction of the park is the Udawalawe reservoir and the Walawe River which flows through the park.
The main tree species found in the forest area are the satin (Chloroxylon swietenia), Milla (Vites pinata), ebony (Diospyros ebenum) and Ehala (Cassia fistula). Riverine forest dominated by Kumbuk (Terminalia arjuna) & Mandora (Hopea cordifolia). Mana (Cymbopogon confertiflorus), Illuk (Imperata cylindrica) and Daminiya (Grewia tiliaefolia) are found in grasslands & scrublands.
Udawalawe National Park is world famous for its large elephant populations. In this park one can observe elephants at any given time of the day. Other than Elephants water buffalo, spotted & barking deer, wild boar, sambhur, jackal & ruddy, grey & striped necked mongoose are also found in this park. Though the leopard, jungle & fishing cats have recorded in the park sightings are very rare.
The park is also famous for birdlife. Crested serpent eagle, changeable hawk eagle, white-bellied sea eagle & grey-headed fishing eagle are the main raptors found in the park. Painted stork, open bill, little & Indian cormorant, Indian darter, many species of waders are also found within the park. Among the forest birds are the warblers, Sri Lanka Junglefowl, Malabar pied hornbill, Sikir Malkoha, Blue face Malkoha, common Caucal, and grey hornbill.
The variety of terrain includes abandoned teak plantation, open grassland and scrub jungle, and this varied habitat makes for an equally rich variety of wildlife and game-spotting opportunities. In the heart of the park is the UdaWalawe Reservoir, a huge man-made lake (known in Sri Lanka as a 'tank') with a surface area of up to 3400ha (8401 acres), which provides irrigation for farmlands downstream and generates hydro-electric power.
Uda Walawe is not without its problems; illegal settlement and cattle grazing, especially around the reservoir area, threaten habitat, and relatively large numbers of visitors in their own vehicles also place habitat and animals (especially elephants) under stress. There is also a sporadic poaching problem.
ELEPHANT TRANSIT HOME (ETH)
UdaWalawe National Park is home to the Elephant Transit Home. Here, abandoned, injured or orphaned baby elephants are sent from all over to be treated and then released back into the wild in the safety of the National Park. Each year, around 30 baby elephants are separated from their herd and reported to the authorities in Sri Lanka. Wherever they are found, they are taken to the Elephant Transit Home (ETH) at Uda Walawe National Park. This can be a long drive. Once the elephant reaches the ETH they get medical attention, food, shelter and the companionship of other elephants at the park. The elephants are usually released when they are 3 ½ to 4 years old and returned into the wild in Uda Walawe National Park. There are currently 32 elephants between 3 weeks and 4 years old at the facility.
The babies are tagged and their behaviour monitored as they set of into the park to hopefully gain acceptance into an established elephant herd. Up until their release the babies are treated by vets and fed every 3 hours night and day a special blend of milk that is prepared individually for each elephant depending on their nutritional needs. There are currently about 30 baby elephants within the treatment centre of the park and about 500 elephants freely roaming around the extensive outer regions of the National Park. It is not unusual to see herds of up to 50 individual elephants.
The elephants living here are not exploited for tourism or for domestic uses. They are treated as well as the facilities allow until they are ready for release. ETH displays a combination of welfare and conservation, maintaining the dignity of these beautiful animals and all voluntary work here will be working towards a very worthwhile program.