One of Asia’s most promising locations for spotting leopards has reopened to the public.
Wilpattu National Park in northwest Sri Lanka was closed for many years as the government battled against Tamil Tiger (LTTE) separatists, who used the park as a conduit for men and materials. The forested park – Sri Lanka’s largest, at 1,316km2 – is renowned for its sizeable leopard population, and is also home to numerous large elephants and sloth bears.Before its closure, the park was reported to harbour more leopards than Yala, Sri Lanka’s best-known park and one of Asia’s premier locations for wild mammals. Wilpattu is also renowned for its unique 'villus', around 50 salt- and fresh-water lakes which are home to crocodiles, cobras and tortoise.
Tour operators including Real Holidays (020 7359 3938, www.srilankaportfolio.co.uk) are already offering safaris within the park, and Sri Lankan wildlife enthusiasts are reported to be going there “in hordes”.
Located 180km north of the capital Colombo, Wilpattu was closed from 1985-2003 due to the armed conflict, and then again from March 2007. Following de-mining and infrastructure improvements, the park reopened at the end of February, along with Yala East in Sri Lanka’s far south and Lahugala NP near Arugam Bay in the east. All 20 of Sri Lanka’s National Parks are now open.
Since hostilities ended in 2009, Sri Lanka’s northwest – which includes Wilpattu – has been targeted for tourism development by the Sri Lankan government, and plans are underway for a major eco-tourism resort at nearby Kalpitiya.
source - http://www.wanderlust.co.uk
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