Udawalawe

Udawalawe National Park is Sri Lanka's most significant elephant sanctuary, established in 1972 following the construction of the Udawalawe Reservoir on the Walawe River. Covering 30,821 hectares along the boundary between wet and dry ecological zones in the Sabaragamuwa and Southern provinces, this internationally important wildlife haven supports over 250 permanent resident elephants - Sri Lanka's highest elephant density. The park's unique position resulted from flooding that displaced wildlife, leading to the creation of this critical conservation area. The park's flagship conservation facility, the Elephant Transit Home, was established in 1995 through collaboration between the Department of Wildlife Conservation and the Born Free Foundation under the 29th Amendment to the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance. This pioneering rehabilitation center cares for orphaned elephant calves whose mothers were killed in human-elephant conflicts (up to 3 elephants per week are killed across Sri Lanka). The park encompasses diverse habitats including grasslands, scrublands, riverine forests, and wetlands, supporting 184 bird species (33 migratory), 43 mammal species, 135 butterfly species, and 94 plant species across distinct ecological zones.