World · Sri Lanka Bureau
Yala National Park closes two zones to ease animal heat stress
The Department of Wildlife Conservation has announced a month-long closure of Zones 1 and 2 at Yala National Park starting Thursday to protect wildlife from heat-related stress during the hotter months.
LSN Sri Lanka ·
Two primary zones of Sri Lanka's Yala National Park will shut to visitors from Thursday until October 15, according to an announcement by the Department of Wildlife Conservation. The temporary closure affects Zones 1 and 2 of the park, which is among the island's most popular wildlife destinations.
The decision to implement the month-long suspension has been made to mitigate heat stress affecting animals within the park during this period. Officials at the Department of Wildlife Conservation cited the wellbeing of fauna as the primary concern driving the protective measure.
The closure will permit wildlife within the affected zones to experience reduced human disturbance and lower stress levels during a season when thermal conditions present particular challenges for animal populations. The park will remain partially accessible through other zones during this period.
Yala National Park, located in the southeastern region of Sri Lanka, is a key destination for domestic and international wildlife tourism and serves as a critical habitat for numerous species of fauna native to the island.