Wilpattu National Park

How Sri Lanka's Wilpattu Park has a hopeful future - SilverKris

"Sprawled across 1,317 km2, this is Sri Lanka’s largest national park, a mosaic of monsoon forest and scrubland uniquely dotted with over 60 natural lakes (willu). Steeped in legend as an ancient landing place, it was closed for much of the civil war (1988–2010), a period that left wildlife unusually skittish and increased poaching; since reopening, conservation groups and the Department of Wildlife Conservation have been rebuilding protection and community programmes. Wildlife is varied and often seen in intimate encounters — peacocks, barking deer, mongooses, kingfishers, buffaloes, elephants and leopards — and a recent standardised survey recorded 74 individual leopards in a 350 km2 area, suggesting densities comparable to better-known parks. Low visitor numbers and light jeep traffic preserve a secluded, rediscovery-like atmosphere, while ongoing efforts (sanctuary land, watering-hole projects, guide training and English lessons) aim to boost sustainable tourism, deter poaching and improve local livelihoods." - Lina Gedvilaite