Wilpattu National Park Villu ecology: closed-canopy forest tracks and endemic bird species?

Wilpattu National Park (Sri Lanka’s largest park at 131,693 hectares) is distinguished by its dense monsoon evergreen forest canopy, sandy red loam tracks, and over 50 natural rain-fed water basins known as "Villus." Unlike Yala’s open thorn scrub, Wilpattu’s closed forest canopy provides deep shade that attracts elusive wildlife, including Sri Lankan Sloth Bears feeding on fallen Palu fruit, barking deer, and leopards resting along villu margins. The park supports over 190 bird species, including endemics like the Sri Lanka Junglefowl, Brown-capped Babbler, and Ceylon Grey Hornbill.