Yala is not only Sri Lanka’s second-largest, but also the most-visited national park in the island nation.
![Yala, Land Of The Leopard](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/2632/182551/57c929fc947a0/Yala-Land-Of-The-Leopard.jpg)
Yala was my dream destination. I longed to visit, not only for the leopards, but to experience the magic of the forest, the sea adjoining the leopard habitat, the sandy terrain, and the rocks. I was spellbound by photos of the park! And of course, watching a leopard lounging on a rock was still a fantasy.
LEOPARDS BY THE SEA
My research revealed that the park comprises five blocks, two of which are open to the public. Unfortunately, Yala was one of the sites affected by the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004. The tsunami caused severe, but localised damage in the park. However, nature’s resilience is seen in the fact that Yala is now bustling with tourists due to coordinated efforts by locals and several organisations. Famous for its leopards and elephants, the varying ecosystems within the park is mesmerising to say the least.
This story is from the September 2016 edition of Sanctuary Asia.
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This story is from the September 2016 edition of Sanctuary Asia.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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