The Hilly virgin rainforest, part of the Sri Lanka Lowland rain forests ecoregions, was saved from the worst of commercial logging by its inaccessibility, and was designated a World Biosphere Reserve in 1978 and a World Heritage Site in 1988. Hilly virgin rainforest, part of Sri Lanka's rain forests lowland ecoregion, was saved from the worst of commercial logging by inaccessibility, and designated World Biosphere Reserve in 1978 and a World Heritage Site in 1988. The reserve's name translates as Kingdom of the Lion. Reserve the name translates as Kingdom of Lions.
The reserve is only 21 km (13 mi) from east to west, and a maximum of 7 km (4.3 mi) from north to south, but it is a Treasure Trove of endemic species, including trees, Insects, amphibians, Reptiles, birds and Mammals. This reserve is only 21 km (13 miles) from east to west, and a maximum of 7 km (4.3 miles) from north to south, but it is a treasure trove of endemic species, including trees, insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. Because of the dense vegetation, wildlife is not as easily seen as at dry-zone national parks Such as Yala. Because of dense vegetation, wildlife is not easily seen as in dry-zone national parks such as Yala. There are about 3 elephants and the 15 or so leopards are rarely seen. There are about 3 and 15 or so elephants leopards are rarely seen. The commonest larger mammal is the endemic Purple-faced Langur. The most common large mammal is the Purple-faced Langur endemic.
An interesting phenomenon is That birds growing niche to move in mixed feeding flocks, invariably led by the Fearless Greater Racket-tailed Drongo and the noisy Orange-billed Babbler. An interesting phenomenon is that birds tend to move in groups of mixed meals, always led by Greater Racket-tailed Drongo fear and Orange-billed Babbler noisy. Of Sri Lanka's 26 endemic birds, the 20 rainforest species all occur here, including the Elusive Red-faced Malkoha, Green-billed Coucal and Sri Lanka Blue Magpie. Of the 26 endemic birds of Sri Lanka, 20 species of rain forest all occur here, including Red-faced Malkoha elusive, Green-billed Coucal and Sri Lanka Blue Magpie.
Reptiles include the endemic green pit viper and Hump-nosed vipers, and there are a large variety of amphibians, ESPECIALLY tree frogs? Reptiles include the endemic green pit viper and Hump-nosed vipers, and there are different kinds of amphibians, especially tree frogs? Invertebrates include the endemic Common birdwing butterfly and the Inevitable leeches. Invertebrates include the endemic birdwing butterflies common and the inevitable leeches.
Sinharaja Forest Reserve is a national park and a biodiversity hotspot Sinharaja Forest Reserve is a national park and biodiversity hotspots
An adultSri Lanka Hanging Parrot at Sinharaja Forest Reserve, Sri Lanka A adultSri Lanka Hanging Parrot in the Sinharaja Forest Reserve, Sri Lanka
