Uda Walawe National Park (UWNP) occupies 308 km2 in the
southern ‘dry zone’ of Sri Lanka at latitude N630014.0600 , longitude
E8054028.1200 , and an average altitude of 118 m above sea level
(Fig. 1). Vegetation ranges from open grassland to residual tree
plantations and forest. There is one major reservoir and two smaller
reservoirs providing permanent water, along with several seasonal
natural and man-made water sources. There are two
monsoons per calendar year (March–April, and October–December),
separated by dry seasons with low levels of intermittent rain
(Zubair et al., 2008). Mean annual rainfall over the study period
was 1485.5 mm. The park has been electric fenced in successive
stages, leaving open two exits for wildlife via the Dahaiyagala
and Lunugamwehera corridors.