Yala National Park in Sri Lanka, the country’s second largest wildlife reserve, is located about 300 km from the capital Colombo in the dry zone boarding the Indian Ocean. Foto: baby turtles in a turtle conservation center near Yala.
© Photo : Olga OleynikovaYala National Park in Sri Lanka, the country’s second largest wildlife reserve, is located about 300 km from the capital Colombo in the dry zone boarding the Indian Ocean. Foto: baby turtles in a turtle conservation center near Yala.

Yala National Park in Sri Lanka, the country’s second largest wildlife reserve, is located about 300 km from the capital Colombo in the dry zone boarding the Indian Ocean. Foto: baby turtles in a turtle conservation center near Yala.
© Photo : Olga OleynikovaThe area of the wildlife sanctuary is 979 square km (378 square miles). The vast territory is divided into five blocks.

The area of the wildlife sanctuary is 979 square km (378 square miles). The vast territory is divided into five blocks.
© Photo : Olga OleynikovaOnly two blocks, with a total area of 140,000 square km (54 square miles), are open to tourists.

Only two blocks, with a total area of 140,000 square km (54 square miles), are open to tourists.
© Photo : Olga OleynikovaThe park combines various landscapes: jungle, beaches, pastures, rivers and lakes, forests and rocks.

The park combines various landscapes: jungle, beaches, pastures, rivers and lakes, forests and rocks.
© Photo : Olga OleynikovaSuch nature diversity makes the park home to numerous species of mammals, birds and other animals, many of which are endemic to the island of Sri Lanka.

Such nature diversity makes the park home to numerous species of mammals, birds and other animals, many of which are endemic to the island of Sri Lanka.
© Photo : Olga OleynikovaThe park is home to the world’s largest population of leopards, though the night hunters are rarely spotted in the daytime.

The park is home to the world’s largest population of leopards, though the night hunters are rarely spotted in the daytime.
© Photo : Olga OleynikovaYala is also home to numerous types of birds, six of which are endemic to the island.

Yala is also home to numerous types of birds, six of which are endemic to the island.
© Photo : Olga OleynikovaA total of 44 species of mammals live on Yala’s territory, their numbers vary from season to season.

A total of 44 species of mammals live on Yala’s territory, their numbers vary from season to season.
© RIA Novosti . Olga OleynikovaYala National Park is one of the world’s best known nature reserves and a popular tourist destination.

Yala National Park is one of the world’s best known nature reserves and a popular tourist destination.
© Photo : Olga OleynikovaThe park is closed for tourists during the dry season, from September 1 to October 15.

The park is closed for tourists during the dry season, from September 1 to October 15.