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Sri Lanka is a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts, offering a variety of National parks that are rich in biodiversity and natural beauty.

Here are Ten National Parks in Sri Lanka that Wildlife lovers should consider visiting –

1. Yala National Park known for having one of the highest densities of leopards in the world, Yala also features elephants, crocodiles, and diverse bird species.
2. Udawalawe National Park famous for its large elephant population, Udawalawe is also home to water buffalo, sambar deer, and a variety of bird species.
3. Wilpattu National Park the largest National park in Sri Lanka, Wilpattu is known for its unique “Willus” natural lakes and is home to leopards, sloth bears, and a variety of bird species.
4. Minneriya National Park known for “The Gathering,” a seasonal event where hundreds of elephants gather around the Minneriya Reservoir, it also hosts a variety of bird species.
5. Horton Plains National Park famous for its scenic landscapes, including “World’s End” and Baker’s Falls, Horton Plains is home to sambar deer, endemic birds, and unique flora.
6. Kumana National Park known for its rich birdlife, especially during the migratory season, Kumana also has elephants, leopards, and crocodiles.
7. Bundala National Park Ramsar Wetland, Bundala is renowned for its birdlife, including flamingos and migratory birds, as well as elephants and crocodiles.
8. Gal Oya National Park known for boat safaris on Senanayake Samudraya, the largest reservoir in Sri Lanka, Gal Oya offers sightings of elephants, crocodiles, and aquatic birds.
9. Sinharaja Forest Reserve A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sinharaja is a biodiversity hotspot with many endemic species of birds, insects, reptiles, and plants.
10. Wasgamuwa National Park Less frequented by tourists, Wasgamuwa offers sightings of elephants, leopards, and a variety of bird species, as well as ancient ruins.
    These parks offer a range of wildlife experiences, from spotting leopards and elephants to observing diverse bird species and enjoying breathtaking landscapes.

Tigers are largest species of cat family, Siberian Tigers are biggest upto 11 feet length weighing upto 660 pounds. No two tigers have the same pattern of stripes. These stripes act like fingerprints, unique to each individual, and help them camouflage in the wild.

Tigers are apex predators with a powerful bite. Their jaws and sharp teeth allow them to take down large prey, such as deer, buffalo, and wild boar. Tigers have excellent night vision, six times better than humans. This makes them efficient hunters in low-light conditions, typically hunting at dawn, dusk, or night.

Tigers are highly territorial animals. They mark their territory with scent markings, scratches on trees, and vocalizations to ward off intruders. Tigers are strong swimmers and enjoy water. They often swim across rivers and lakes and can cover large distances, especially in search of food.

Tiger’s roar can be heard up to 2 miles away. They use their roar to communicate with other tigers, assert dominance, and during mating season to attract potential mates.

Here are 10 Top Iconic Tigers and tigresses of India

1. Machli Known as the Queen of Ranthambore Rajasthan, Machli is one of the most famous tigers in the world. She was known for her beauty, hunting skills, and longevity. Machli also played a significant role in increasing the tiger population in Ranthambore.
2. Tigress Sita of Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh Featured on the cover of National Geographic, Sita was one of the most photographed tigers in the world. Her lineage includes many of the tigers currently in Bandhavgarh, making her a matriarch of the region.
3. Ustad of Ranthambore National Park Rajasthan was a dominant male tiger known for his strength and controversial relocation after allegedly becoming a man-eater, which sparked debates on wildlife management.
4. Tigress Collarwali of Pench Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh known as the “Supermom,” Collarwali is famous for giving birth to 29 cubs, the highest recorded for a wild tigress, contributing significantly to the tiger population in Pench.
5. Raja of Sundarbans West Bengal known for being one of the oldest living Bengal tigers in the Sundarbans and has survived multiple challenges, including losing a leg to a crocodile.
6. Avni of Yavatmal District, Maharashtra gained notoriety for allegedly being a man-eater and was controversially shot dead after a prolonged hunt, sparking widespread debate and protests regarding her fate.
7. Tigress Maya of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve Maharashtra is known for her bold behavior and has been one of the most photographed and observed tigers in Tadoba, often seen with her cubs.
8. Jim Corbett’s Tigress of Champawat Champawat District, Uttarakhand was a notorious man-eater responsible for over 400 human deaths in the early 20th century before being hunted down by the famous hunter and conservationist Jim Corbett.
9. Charger of Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh was a legendary male tiger known for his aggressive behavior and fierce protection of his territory. He was a key figure in the resurgence of the tiger population in Bandhavgarh during the 1990s.
10. T-25 Zalim of Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan was a unique tiger known for his unusual behavior of caring for two orphaned cubs after their mother, a tigress named Sundari, died. His paternal instincts surprised many and added a new dimension to our understanding of tiger behaviour.
11. These tigers and tigresses have left a lasting impact on both conservation efforts and cultural narratives surrounding these magnificent animals.