Blocks 1 and 2 of Yala National Park have been temporarily closed to visitors from today (14) as authorities respond to increasingly severe dry weather and its impact on wildlife.
According to the Department of Wildlife Conservation and Forest Conservation, the closure will remain in place for one month, until October 15, 2026.
Yala National Park is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including 44 mammal species, 215 bird species, 47 reptile species and 21 fish species.
The park typically experiences its busiest tourist period between August and March. However, the current season has been significantly affected by El Niño conditions, with high temperatures and prolonged dry weather creating difficult conditions for both wildlife and visitors.
Several water sources inside the park have already dried up, leaving animals facing a serious shortage of drinking water. The lack of rainfall has also caused vegetation and grasslands to dry out, reducing the availability of natural food.
Wildlife officers are undertaking measures to provide animals with the water they need during the drought. Water drawn from four locations along the Menik Ganga using solar-powered pumps is being transported through underground pipelines to ponds within the park.
Authorities are also using water bowsers to deliver approximately 200,000 litres of water each day to fill both artificial and natural ponds.
The temporary closure of Blocks 1 and 2 is intended to reduce human disturbances while animals move around the park in search of increasingly scarce food and water.
The Wildlife Department said the measure was taken primarily to safeguard animals and reduce pressure on wildlife during the ongoing dry conditions.
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