Yala National Park (also known as Ruhunu National Park) is the most visited and second largest national park in Sri Lanka. It consists of five blocks, two of which are now open to the public; and also adjoining parks. It is in the southeast region of the country and lies in Southern Province and Uva Province. The park covers 979 km² (378 sq mi) and is about 300 km (190 mi) from Colombo. Yala was designated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1900, and, along with Wilpattu, it was one of the first two national parks in Sri Lanka, having been designated in 1938. The park is best known for its variety of wild animals. It is important for the conservation of Sri Lankan Elephants and aquatic birds. Wild Elephants Commonly Found in Yala: Elephant Rock in the background
The western part of Yala (block one) is named the area with the highest leopard concentration in the world.
