Yala National Park zones to close as extreme heat causes wildlife stress

Due to the prevailing high temperatures and the resulting heat stress on animals and wildlife officers, authorities have decided to close Zones 1 and 2 of Yala National Park from 14 September.

Manjula Amararatne, Additional Director General (Operations) of the Department of Wildlife Conservation, said the unusually hot weather had caused water shortages and severe heat stress among animals.

He added that the large number of tourist jeeps travelling through the park was making it more difficult for wildlife officers to carry out their duties under the current conditions.

Amararatne said officials were also closely monitoring conditions in Yala Zones 1 and 2, as well as areas around Mannar and Wilpattu National Park, which are located within Sri Lanka’s dry zone.

He said the authorities would consider closing other parks where necessary or introducing measures to reduce heat stress on both wildlife and officers.

“The prevailing hot weather has made it difficult for us to work. We have therefore decided to close only Zones 1 and 2 of Yala National Park from 14 September.

“Animals are facing water shortages as well as heat stress, and the officers working in the park are experiencing similar difficulties.

“It is also becoming increasingly difficult to carry out our work while large numbers of tourist jeeps continue to travel through the park. Zone 1 of Yala is expected to be particularly affected.

“We know that Yala Zones 1 and 2 fall within Sri Lanka’s dry zone. Officials are also managing and monitoring conditions in areas around Mannar, Wilpattu National Park and Thanthirimale along the north-western part of the country.

“Where necessary, we will take steps either to close the relevant parks or to create conditions that allow animals and officers to function without excessive heat stress.”