BUNDALA NATIONAL PARK
Bundala National Park is extremely popular with both local
and migratory birds. About 167 bird species have been recorded in
this National Park. The lagoons, enclosed within the Bundala National
Park support, during some part of the year, very important populations
of every species of water bird resident in the country. The lagoons
also constitute one of the most important wintering areas for migratory
shorebirds in the country, accommodating over 20,000 shorebirds at any
time, including rare species such as the Black Necked Stork. The
Park is the last refuge of the Grater Flamingo in this part of the island,
up to 2,000 of these birds having been recorded during November – January.
Beside the bird life, the lagoons support a large number
of fish and prawns. The reptile fauna of Bundala National Park includes
many IUCN Red List species such as estuarine crocodile (mugger).
At least three species of endangered marine turtles, Olive Ridley, Green
Turtle, Leatherback and one vulnerable species, the Loggerhead, nest on
the beach. An endemic frog (Bufo atukoralei) also has been recorded
form the Park.