Wildlife
Sri Lanka's wildlife is rich and well-preserved, as the island has few large predators and, having been under the influence of Buddhism for centuries, the population has learned to respect all forms of animal life. As a result, hunting exists but is rarely practised. Fishing, on the other hand, is still a means of subsistence for a large part of the population. Many species are shared with India, but there are also a few animals that are unique to the island, where there are 342 varieties of amphibians and snakes, 486 species of birds, 123 types of mammals and 7 types of sea turtle.
Monkeys. You'll see them everywhere, around sacred sites, in temples and, of course, in the wild. They often approach inhabited areas, and therefore hotels, in search of food. Don't forget to close your windows when they're around! The most common species is the macaque, mischievous and thieving. Elegant grey langurs with their slender silhouettes can also be spotted in many places. Much rarer, the lion-tailed macaque, also known as the ouandérou, is distinguished by its greyish mane and dark face resembling that of an old man. This arboreal primate is a threatened species.
The Sri Lankan elephant is one of three Asian elephant species. It is smaller than its African cousin, and females are generally smaller than males. Sri Lanka had 20,000 elephants at the beginning of the 20th century, but then massive deforestation, hunting by British colonizers, savage poaching and civil war decimated the island's pachyderm population. Today, between 3,500 and 4,500 wild elephants remain, mainly concentrated in the country's national parks and sanctuaries. You'll come across them at the bend of a wooded path or on a mountain road, particularly around Habarana, in and around Hurulu Eco Park and the national parks of Minneriya, Wasgamuwa, Gal Oya, Uda Walawe, Yala and Wilpattu. While these pachyderms are splendid animals to observe in their majestic serenity, human-elephant conflicts are frequent and claim victims on both sides. In 2024, for example, 388 elephants were killed, electrocuted by protective fences, run over by a train or poisoned by villagers whose fields had been ravaged. And in 2024, no fewer than 155 people lost their lives to elephants. Farmers build electrified fences and watch their fields from wooden watchtowers to warn of the arrival of the pachyderms, and send them firecrackers to make them turn back. These colossal animals weigh between 3 and 5 tonnes, can run at up to 40 km/h and become aggressive, particularly in the presence of their offspring. In the event of an encounter with an elephant, maintain a safe distance of at least 30 meters. Some organizations, sometimes criticized for the sincerity of their involvement, take in orphaned or injured elephants. These include the Pinnewala Elephant Orphanage and the Udawalawe Elephant Transfer Home (ETH).
There are an estimated 350 domesticated elephants in the country, some belonging to private owners and others to temples. More than half of these pachyderms are over 50 years old. They are mainly used to transport wood, for weddings or, more sadly, to give rides to tourists. Fortunately, the latter activity is tending to disappear. The presence of elephants is above all a mainstay of religious ceremonies, such as the festival of the Temple of the Tooth of Kandy, Esala Perahera, when a hundred or so elephants are paraded through the streets in bright, golden, embroidered garments.
The Sri Lankan leopard, also known as the Ceylon panther, is the country's other mythical animal, but you need a bit of luck to spot it, as these felines only come out at night and are very fast. The island's largest predator lives in a variety of habitats and is distributed throughout Sri Lanka. It feeds mainly on deer, but also wild boar, birds, etc. Unlike species on other continents, it rarely keeps its prey in trees, as there are no other predators to compete with it. Unfortunately, this feline is endangered, and in Sri Lanka it is threatened by deforestation and conflict with humans. Leopards are killed accidentally by traps and protections intended for other species, by man to protect the livestock he comes to capture, and are victims of poaching. it is estimated that 6 to 7 leopards are killed every year. The Wilderness and Wildlife Conservation Trust launched the Project Leopard program to survey all the leopards on the island and implement effective means of protecting their natural habitat, thereby conserving the species. Today, its presence is estimated at less than 800 adult individuals. The Wilpattu and Yala national parks offer the best opportunities to catch a glimpse of this fascinating feline.
Other animals. Sambar, fallow deer, jackals, porcupines and bats are regularly seen in the various national parks and nature reserves. The territory is also home to a large population of wild buffalo, as well as the sloth or lippu bear, the only species of bear found on the island, and the Ceylon giant squirrel, an arboreal species found only in the mountains. There are also cobra and viper snakes, and other venomous species, but you're unlikely to see any off-road. Nevertheless, take care when walking through tall grass or moving stones. On a walk or near your place of residence, you're likely to spot the Bengal monitor, a huge lizard that can measure over a metre in length. It often impresses travellers, but is harmless to humans, even though it is a carnivorous animal.
Marine fauna is rich and abundant along coasts where the water is clear and the coral reefs have been preserved. This is the case on the east coast and in the Trincomalee region, where you can go diving on reefs far from the coast, such as Pigeon Island. In Trincomalee, Mirissa and Kalpitiya, many agencies offer offshore cruises to see whales, orcas, dugongs, dolphins and sea turtles. The latter, mainly loggerhead and leatherback turtles, are numerous and well protected, and you'll have the chance to admire them on a night outing when they are laying their eggs. The many turtle hatcheries scattered from Bentota to Tangalle are a great source of information. Beware: swamp and saltwater crocodiles are very common in Sri Lanka. Some can grow up to 5 or 6 meters long and weigh up to 1,000 kg. You'll spot them on mangrove walks along the Madhu River and near waterholes. Keep this in mind if you want to swim in a lake or river! Always ask a local for advice beforehand.
Bird watching. Budding ornithologists will be delighted: there are over 486 varieties of bird in Sri Lanka. Among the most remarkable species are the Malabar hornbill, the majestic blue peacock, the kingfisher and the spotted pelican. Numerous tour operators offer bird-watching trips along rivers and in various national parks and sanctuaries, including the Kokkilai Bird Sanctuary on the east coast.
Flora
This small tropical island flooded by sunshine all year round and irrigated by heavy rains has a varied and abundant flora, which varies in different geographical areas according to climate and topography. Sri Lanka was connected by land to the Western Ghats of India for centuries and shares similar vegetation characteristics. Today, natural vegetation covers about one third of the country's area. There are over 3,350 species of flowering plants on the island, used as food, spices and medicinal plants. Ayurveda, the traditional medicine, is widespread throughout the country and uses a wide range of plants, herbs and essences for its practice.
There are three main vegetation zones. The arid zone is located in the north of the country and its lands at less than 500 meters of altitude have little rainfall (less than 100 mm per year). The landscape is mainly composed of small shrubs and thorny brush. Although the conditions for successful agriculture are not present, trees providing valuable timber, such as teak, ebony and mahogany, are found here. The intermediate zone, with an altitude between 500 and 1,500 meters, has subtropical evergreen forests similar to those in temperate countries. Finally, there is the tropical forest, also called rainforest, with dense evergreen vegetation and a great diversity of giant trees, some of which are centuries old. This area, which has high rainfall (more than 2,000 mm per year), is located in the southwest of the island.
Flora lovers will of course visit the various national parks and protected areas, but also the most remarkable gardens of the island: the Royal Botanic Gardens of Peradeniya, in the suburbs of Kandy, and the Hagkala Botanical Gardens, near Nuwara Eliya.
Protected areas
The various protected areas cover 26.5% of the island's territory. These include national parks, which are open to the public; sanctuaries, where the protection of wildlife habitats goes hand in hand with the development of human activities; nature reserves, where traditional human activities already present continue in coexistence with animal life; and finally, strict nature reserves, dedicated exclusively to nature, with a formal ban on the introduction of the slightest human activity. In Sri Lanka, the government's Departmentof Wildlife Conservation has a high-quality infrastructure and has had the excellent idea of recruiting staff from the local population, thus benefiting from their local knowledge and experience. Former poachers have become rangers or guides, attracted by the stability of their jobs and the higher remuneration than their former (and illegal) activities. The preservation of these natural sites is also supported by Sri Lankan religious and cultural traditions. Buddhism, the island's main religion, advocates respect for life in all its forms, and Ayurvedic medicine, an ancestral traditional culture, draws on the benefits of nature (plants, flowers, essences...) to concoct its treatments. These elements greatly facilitate the establishment of natural protected areas and the support of local populations.
