Bundala National Park is a natural site of international importance (since 1990). It represents a unique ecosystem, necessary for living hundreds of species of birds living in these parts or arriving here for the winter. The park is located on the south coast of Sri Lanka, 246 kilometers from the capital Colombo.
The territory of the Bundal with a total area of about 25,000 hectares (of which 6,218 hectares of the main protected area) acquired the status of a reserve in 1969. And on January 4, 1993, the Bundal is transformed into a national park. In 2005, UNESCO declared this park a biosphere reserve, the fourth in a row in Sri Lanka.
The national park is located in the southern province among numerous lakes, islands, shallows and lagoons. The Bundal has four largest lagoons: the Bundala of the same name (520 ha), Embilikala (430 ha), Malala (650 ha) and Koholankala (390 ha). Sandy beaches, bushes, meadows and forests are located next to the picturesque waters. The Bundal has a dry climate. Nevertheless, the proximity to the coast and periodic monsoons provide a fairly humid regime here. Relative humidity is 80% and annual rainfall is 1074 mm. The average annual temperature reaches about 28.0 ° C, the hottest months are April, May, June.
The national park recorded 324 species of vertebrates, including 32 species of fish, 15 species of amphibians, 48 species of reptiles, 197 species of birds and 32 species of mammals. In addition, 52 species of butterflies and other invertebrates are found in the Bundal.
A variety of fish are found in the lakes, both freshwater and marine. The beach adjacent to the national park is a masonry site for all five endangered species of sea turtles visiting Sri Lanka. Also, two species of crocodiles live in the Bundal - comb and swamp. Herpetofauna is represented by at least two endemic species: the toad Bufo atukoralei and the snake Boulenger's Keelback.
Bundala is the most important transit point for many species of migratory birds that spend the winter here. In total, more than 20,000 migratory birds rest and feed on the territory of the national park annually. These are, first of all, populations of pink flamingos, also ibises, marabou, pelicans, ulits, ducks, teal, herons, spoonbills, coots, zuikas, etc.
The following mammals live in savannahs and forests: Sri Lankan subspecies of the Indian elephant, Sri Lankan subspecies of a zambar, leopard, wild boars, Indian gray mongoose, sponge bear, Sri Lankan axis, Lesser civet, jackal, porcupine, buffalo and others .