Designated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1990, the Yala National Park is the second largest national park in Sri Lanka. Consisting of five blocks, three of which are open to the public, it is situated in the vicinity of two other parks – the Kumana National Park or ‘Yala East’ and the Lunugamvehera National Park. Yala is best known for sightings of leopards, elephants, and a diversity of animal species within its boundaries, boasting of 44 species of mammals within its enclave.