Yala National Park

🇱🇰 Sri Lanka

🐆 Leopards Prowl the Dry Scrubland
🌍 #20 Global · 4.8 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #2 in Asia #5 in Tropical Forest
Indian Subcontinent, Sri Lanka 703 spp. recorded

Yala National Park sits on the southeastern tip of Sri Lanka, combines tropical dry forest, savanna grassland and coastal lagoons. The landscape supports a trio of iconic mammals: Asian elephants wander the grasslands and river edges, mugger crocodiles bask on the banks of the park’s water bodies, and leopards stalk the dense forest patches.

6.548° N   81.393° E

Wildlife

SIGHTING PROBABILITY Share of citizen-science records from the park that report this species
<5%
Rare 5–15%
With luck 15–40%
Possible 40–70%
Likely >70%
Very likely
ACTIVITY PATTERN
☀️ Diurnal 🌙 Nocturnal 🌅 Crepuscular ☀️🌙 Day & Night

⭐ Iconic Species

Leopard ★
VU Endemic

Leopard

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Panthera pardus

70–80% · Very likely
Asian Elephant ★
EN

Asian Elephant

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Elephas maximus

80–90% · Very likely
Sloth Bear ★
VU

Sloth Bear

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Melursus ursinus

40–50% · Possible
Mugger Crocodile ★
VU

Mugger Crocodile

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Crocodylus palustris

80–90% · Very likely

📊 Most Spotted

Axis Deer
LC

Axis Deer

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Axis axis

80–90% · Very likely
Pearl-necked Dove
LC

Pearl-necked Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Spilopelia chinensis

80–90% · Very likely
Common Peafowl
LC

Common Peafowl

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pavo cristatus

80–90% · Very likely
Tufted Langur
NT

Tufted Langur

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Semnopithecus priam

70–80% · Very likely
Bengal Monitor
NT

Bengal Monitor

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Varanus bengalensis

70–80% · Very likely
Ruddy Mongoose

Ruddy Mongoose

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Herpestes smithii

70–80% · Very likely
Red-wattled Lapwing
LC

Red-wattled Lapwing

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Vanellus indicus

70–80% · Very likely
Asian Green Bee-eater
LC

Asian Green Bee-eater

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Merops orientalis

70–80% · Very likely
Rose-ringed Parakeet

Rose-ringed Parakeet

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Psittacula krameri

70–80% · Very likely
Black-headed Ibis
LC

Black-headed Ibis

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Threskiornis melanocephalus

70–80% · Very likely
White-throated Kingfisher
LC

White-throated Kingfisher

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Halcyon smyrnensis

70–80% · Very likely
Indian Pond Heron
LC

Indian Pond Heron

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Ardeola grayii

70–80% · Very likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Leopard ★
VU Endemic

Leopard

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Panthera pardus

70–80% · Very likely
Asian Elephant ★
EN

Asian Elephant

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Elephas maximus

80–90% · Very likely
Sloth Bear ★
VU

Sloth Bear

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Melursus ursinus

40–50% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Axis Deer
LC

Axis Deer

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Axis axis

80–90% · Very likely
Tufted Langur
NT

Tufted Langur

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Semnopithecus priam

70–80% · Very likely
Ruddy Mongoose

Ruddy Mongoose

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Herpestes smithii

70–80% · Very likely
Asian Buffalo

Asian Buffalo

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Bubalus arnee

60–70% · Likely
Indian Hare
LC

Indian Hare

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Lepus nigricollis

60–70% · Likely
Indian Flying Fox
NT

Indian Flying Fox

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Pteropus medius

50–60% · Likely
Sambar
VU

Sambar

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Rusa unicolor

40–50% · Likely
Asian Jackal
LC

Asian Jackal

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Canis aureus

40–50% · Likely
Toque Macaque
EN

Toque Macaque

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Macaca sinica

40–50% · Likely
Stripe-necked Mongoose

Stripe-necked Mongoose

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Herpestes vitticollis

30–40% · Possible
Indian Palm Squirrel
LC

Indian Palm Squirrel

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Funambulus palmarum

30–40% · Possible
Sri Lankan Giant Squirrel
NT

Sri Lankan Giant Squirrel

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Ratufa macroura

20–30% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Pearl-necked Dove
LC

Pearl-necked Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Spilopelia chinensis

80–90% · Very likely
Common Peafowl
LC

Common Peafowl

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pavo cristatus

80–90% · Very likely
Red-wattled Lapwing
LC

Red-wattled Lapwing

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Vanellus indicus

70–80% · Very likely
Asian Green Bee-eater
LC

Asian Green Bee-eater

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Merops orientalis

70–80% · Very likely
Rose-ringed Parakeet

Rose-ringed Parakeet

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Psittacula krameri

70–80% · Very likely
Black-headed Ibis
LC

Black-headed Ibis

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Threskiornis melanocephalus

70–80% · Very likely
White-throated Kingfisher
LC

White-throated Kingfisher

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Halcyon smyrnensis

70–80% · Very likely
Indian Pond Heron
LC

Indian Pond Heron

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Ardeola grayii

70–80% · Very likely
Grey Heron
LC

Grey Heron

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ardea cinerea

60–70% · Likely
Indian Robin

Indian Robin

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Saxicoloides fulicatus

60–70% · Likely
Painted Stork
LC

Painted Stork

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Mycteria leucocephala

60–70% · Likely
Brahminy Kite
LC

Brahminy Kite

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Haliastur indus

60–70% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Mugger Crocodile ★
VU

Mugger Crocodile

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Crocodylus palustris

80–90% · Very likely

📊 Most Spotted

Bengal Monitor
NT

Bengal Monitor

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Varanus bengalensis

70–80% · Very likely
Oriental Garden Lizard
LC

Oriental Garden Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Calotes versicolor

60–70% · Likely
Indian Star Tortoise
VU

Indian Star Tortoise

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Geochelone elegans

20–30% · Possible
Sri Lankan Flapshell Turtle
VU

Sri Lankan Flapshell Turtle

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Lissemys ceylonensis

20–30% · Possible
Sri Lanka Bronze Skink
LC

Sri Lanka Bronze Skink

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Eutropis madaraszi

20–30% · Possible
Common Green Forest Lizard
LC

Common Green Forest Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Calotes calotes

20–30% · Possible
Common Water Monitor
LC

Common Water Monitor

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Varanus salvator

10–20% · Possible
Indian Black Turtle
LC

Indian Black Turtle

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Melanochelys trijuga

10–20% · Possible
Ceylon Bloodsucker
LC

Ceylon Bloodsucker

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Calotes ceylonensis

10–20% · Possible
Common House Gecko
LC

Common House Gecko

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Hemidactylus frenatus

10–20% · Possible
Bark Gecko
LC

Bark Gecko

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Hemidactylus leschenaultii

10–20% · Possible
Indian Python
NT

Indian Python

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Python molurus

10–20% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Chunam Tree Frog
LC

Chunam Tree Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Polypedates maculatus

30–40% · Possible
Common skittering frog
LC

Common skittering frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis

20–30% · Possible
Indian Five-Fingered Frog

Indian Five-Fingered Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Euphlyctis hexadactylus

20–30% · Possible
Common Indian Cricket Frog
LC

Common Indian Cricket Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Minervarya agricola

10–20% · Possible
Jerdon's Bullfrog
LC

Jerdon's Bullfrog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Hoplobatrachus crassus

10–20% · Possible
Common Indian Toad
LC

Common Indian Toad

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Duttaphrynus melanostictus

10–20% · With luck
Rohan's Globular Frog
LC

Rohan's Globular Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Uperodon rohani

10–20% · With luck
Sri Lankan Bullfrog
LC

Sri Lankan Bullfrog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Uperodon taprobanicus

Insufficient data
Schneider's Toad
LC

Schneider's Toad

Amphibian

Duttaphrynus scaber

Insufficient data
Sri Lanka wood frog

Sri Lanka wood frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Hydrophylax gracilis

Insufficient data
Common Hourglass Tree Frog
LC

Common Hourglass Tree Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Polypedates cruciger

Insufficient data
Mihintale Red Narrow-mouthed Frog
LC

Mihintale Red Narrow-mouthed Frog

Amphibian

Microhyla mihintalei

Insufficient data

Animal Events

🦌

Leopard and Sloth Bear Mating and Foraging Season

JunJulOct

During the drier mid-to-late months, vegetation thins out and animals concentrate around shrinking water sources, significantly boosting predator visibility and sloth bear activity around palu fruit trees.

Leopard
VU Endemic

Leopard

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Panthera pardus

70–80% · Very likely
Sloth Bear
VU

Sloth Bear

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Melursus ursinus

40–50% · Possible
🦌

Dry Season Herbivore Concentration

AugSep

As drought conditions peak, large herds of herbivores gather around the remaining permanent water reservoirs, accompanied by active avian predators.

Axis Deer
LC

Axis Deer

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Axis axis

80–90% · Very likely
White-throated Kingfisher
LC

White-throated Kingfisher

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Halcyon smyrnensis

70–80% · Very likely
🐦

Migratory and Resident Waterbird Breeding Gathering

FebMay

The interplay of seasonal monsoons and receding water levels creates rich feeding grounds in Yala's lagoons, attracting large congregations of wading birds and raptors.

Little Egret
LC

Little Egret

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Egretta garzetta

50–60% · Likely
Indian Pond Heron
LC

Indian Pond Heron

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Ardeola grayii

70–80% · Very likely

Sighting Calendar

Chance of spotting each species, month by month

Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Species Total
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
Leopard
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
70–80
80–90
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
Asian Elephant
80–90
80–90
70–80
80–90
70–80
80–90
80–90
70–80
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
Sloth Bear
10–20
40–50
30–40
30–40
30–40
60–70
50–60
20–30
10–20
50–60
40–50
30–40
Mugger Crocodile
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
80–90
Axis Deer
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
70–80
80–90
80–90
70–80
80–90
Pearl-necked Dove
80–90
90–100
80–90
80–90
80–90
90–100
70–80
90–100
80–90
70–80
70–80
70–80
Common Peafowl
70–80
80–90
70–80
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
70–80
80–90
80–90
80–90
Tufted Langur
80–90
80–90
70–80
70–80
70–80
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
80–90
70–80
70–80
Bengal Monitor
80–90
70–80
80–90
70–80
80–90
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
80–90
80–90
70–80
Ruddy Mongoose
70–80
70–80
80–90
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
80–90
50–60
60–70
80–90
60–70
Red-wattled Lapwing
70–80
80–90
70–80
70–80
80–90
70–80
70–80
60–70
80–90
60–70
70–80
70–80
Asian Green Bee-eater
70–80
70–80
60–70
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
80–90
70–80
80–90
60–70
Rose-ringed Parakeet
70–80
80–90
70–80
80–90
70–80
60–70
50–60
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
Black-headed Ibis
80–90
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
80–90
70–80
60–70
70–80
50–60
70–80
70–80
White-throated Kingfisher
60–70
80–90
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
80–90
60–70
60–70
70–80
Indian Pond Heron
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
80–90
70–80
60–70
30–40
50–60
40–50
80–90
70–80
Animal Events
🦌 Leopard and Sloth Bear Mating and Foraging Season
🦌 Dry Season Herbivore Concentration
🐦 Migratory and Resident Waterbird Breeding Gathering

Sighting Zones

Warm areas are where all species together are recorded most, so they track where people go as much as where animals are. For one species, see the map on its own page.

0.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ World-class
🐆 Leopards Prowl the Dry Scrubland

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Very good

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
4.3 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
440
🐒 Mammals
126
🦎 Reptiles
113
🐸 Amphibians
24
703 Total Species
841 Global average across 280 parks
64 Threatened 4 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Excellent

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
5.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
78%
📊
Coverage (219 species at ≥5% of 703 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
31%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (5 mammal, 5 bird, 2 reptile)
47% Global avg
83%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
132 Global avg
149
🌟
Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)
14 Global avg
26
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
26 Global avg
62
⚖️

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