Yala National Park
is located in the south-east of Sri Lanka, the entrance to the
park is in Palatupana, 12 km from Kirinda to about 300 km from
Colombo. The rain season is during the northeast monsoon from
November to January, the main dry season is from June to
October. Yala National Park which consists of five blocks, is
the second largest national park in Sri Lanka, but is the most
visited. It covers an area of 1,260 square kilometers, but only
a fifth of the area is open to visitors the remainder is
closely Natural Reserve. The park is rich in bird with about 130
species. Among the birds of prey there is the serpent eagle and
sea eagle, including waterfowl attracted to the lagoons there
are the lesser flamingo, the painted stork, black-necked stork,
gray heron, purple heron. During the north-east monsoon the
lagoons are also visited by thousands of migratory waterbirds.
Crocodiles are found in the major rivers and lagoon. The coastal
stretch of Yala is also an important nesting site for sea
turtles. There you will find 32 species of mammals, but the
species that most characterize this park are: the sloth bear,
leopard, elephant, water buffalo, spotted deer and the golden
jackal. Leopards (Panthera pardus Kotiya) subspecies that is
found only in Sri Lanka, are the real attraction of Yala which
is the national park with the highest concentration of leopards
in the world.
Our trip took place in July 2014,
at Yala is the dry season it has not rained for a few months.
Obviously, we came up here hoping to see and photograph the
leopard. Yala National Park has the highest concentration of
leopards in the world, but that does not mean it is easy to
spot. Other guests of the Lodge where we are staying we were
told that even after 3 safari had not seen any leopard!
The first safari starts early in the morning at 5 when it is
still dark. The dust raised by the jeep is uncomfortable but we
are rewarded with the sighting of many animals including
elephants, crocodiles, colorful birds, sloth bear and many
others. By now the dawn has come from hours and the sun begins
to be felt, but we have not yet seen any leopard. The jeep
before ours saw them, but then they entered the forest before we
could see them. Abandoned hopes of sightings for today our jeep
take the road back ... when suddenly, out of the bush two
female Leopard ... The emotion was strong! I obviously started
to take pictures knowing that this was the long awaited moment,
and perhaps for this trip was not to be repeated .... The two
leopards heedless of our presence continued their march and then
again shortly after they disappeared into the bush ...
The next day afternoon-evening safari, we spotted other
crocodiles and elephants one even has a shower with a pond right
in front of us. The strongest emotion was when were crossing the
road two bears sloths who, awkwardly, went to drink at a pond.
The sun had set was already getting dark when on the way back
some jeeps are still ... even we stop ... He was right in front
of us: a male leopard ... under a rock ... I raise the ISO
sensitivity of the camera due to poor light and start shooting.
He moves with an agile leap over the rock, behind there is the
sunset, now I can only see the silhouette...
