Journal of the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society of Sri Lanka
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Volume 27. Issues 3 & 4 Journal of the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society of Sri Lanka 1 Grey Langur, Yala. Namal Kamalgoda 2 Patron: Volume 27. Issues 3 & 4 His Excellency Maithripala Sirisena, Journal of the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society of Sri Lanka President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Office Bearers 2015 President Prof. Lakdas Fernando Vice Presidents Mr. Rukshan Jayewardene Mr. Rahula Dassenaike Hon. General Secretary Mr. Rohan Wijesinha Hon. Treasurer Mr. Ranil Pieris General Committee: Mr. Vidhya Abhayagunawardena Dr. Thilak Jayaratne 1 Mr. Darrel Bartholomeusz Mr. Namal Kamalgoda Loris - Vol. 27. Ms. Tami Flamer Caldera Mr. Spencer Manuelpillai Issues 3 & 4, December 2015 Dr. (Ms.) Nirmali De Silva Ms. Ayanthi Samarajeewa Mr. Charitha Gooneratne Mr. Naresha Supramaniam ISSN 0024-6514 Mr. Imran Jabeer Major Raajiv D. Wanigasekera Hon. Editor – Loris Mr. Rohan Wijesinha Hon. Editor – Warana Mr. Vidhya Abhayagunawardena Hon. Auditors M/s. Tudor V. Perera & Company, Chartered Accountant, De Mel Building, Upper Chatham Street, Fort, Colombo 01. WILDLIFE & NATURE PROTECTION SOCIETY of SRI LANKA #86, Rajamalwatte Road, Battaramulla. Tele. +94 (0) 11 288 7390 Fax. +94 (0) 11 288 7664 E-mail – [email protected] web – www.wnpssl.org The Editor invites contributions not only from members of the Society but also from the public, on matters relevant to biodiversity, natural history and nature conservation in Sri Lanka. LORIS is issued in volumes of six fascicles, the fascicles being issued in June and December each year. CONTRIBUTORS PLEASE NOTE The Society takes no responsibility for the views expressed by authors, which are their own and not necessarily those of the Society. Moreover, the Society publishes all contributions in good faith, assuming that such contributions do not infringe copyright. Hence, all contributors must forward, along with their contributions, a signed letter indemnifying the Society against any liability, loss, damage or expense of any kind (including legal expenses) which an author may incur by reason of any action suit proceedings brought against him or her for damages or any other claim based upon any violation of copyright by any person that may have been or may be claimed to have been infringed by the publication of the contribution(s) in question. Contributions not accompanied by such indemnity will, regrettably, not be considered. © 2016 Wildlife and Nature Protection Society of Sri Lanka. Front Cover: Grey Partridge, Navadamkulama. Namal Kamalgoda Back Cover: Three-toed Kingfisher. Namal Kamalgoda 3 In this issue Message from Sponsor 7 Editorial 8 A STORY OF OUR TIME – 9 The Destruction of Blood Ivory The Diversity of Our Hidden Reefs 15 A STORY OF OUR TIME 09 Summary of The Symposium of 24 Wild Cats of South Asia Past & Present Some Notes on the Dugong In Sri Lanka 30 Going Home 33 A Calamity in the Yala National Park 39 BOOK REVIEW: A Naturalist’s Guide to the Butterflies and 40 Dragonflies of Sri Lanka. THE DIVERSITY OF OUR HIDDEN REEFS15 FISHING CAT CONSERVATION IN SRI LANKA: 41 Saving an Endangered Species from Extinction The Shark Killers and other Shark Lore 44 BOOK REVIEW: The Sharks of Sri Lanka. 49 Camping at Kumana National Park 51 Some Fauna & Flora from Vakarai 53 Courting Koels 56 GOING HOME 33 Treasure Hunting 57 GIMLI, THE DWARF ELEPHANT: 58 back in the Udawalawe National Park Possible Solutions to The Human – Elephant & 60 Human – Crocodile Conflicts In Pursuit of an Enigma 62 AN APPEAL: Help Us to Let Them Live! 64 THE SHARK KILLERS AND OTHER SHARK LORE DANGAHA WEWA: 44 65 A Precious Waterhole IN PURSUIT OF AN ENIGMA 62 DANGAHA WEWA: A PRECIOUS WATERHOLE 65 6 The General Committee of the Wildlife & Nature Protection Society extends its sincere gratitude to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority for its generosity and commitment to Wildlife Conservation by being the primary sponsor of this issue of Loris. We also thank all of its other sponsors whose support is vital for the publication of this journal. In addition, I would like to thank Nelun Harasgama Nadarajah and Raghavan Prem Kumar for their assistance in the setting up and design of this issue. Message from Sponsor Paddy Withana Chairman, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority | Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau I congratulate the Wildlife and Nature Protection travel experience for tourists via convenient Highways, Society for publishing Loris Magazine which is one of Air Taxi services and quality Airports. Railways have the well-recognised local magazines issued every year become an enjoyable experience for foreigners, addressing both local and global wildlife enthusiasts. especially travel upcountry. As a result of this well- It’s my pleasure to sponsor this as a strong tool of established infrastructure, Sri Lanka has been awareness creation on Sri Lankan Wildlife. recognized globally as a potential destination to travel. The Sunday Times, UK named Sri Lanka as the Sri Lanka Tourism has achieved a multitude of Destination of the Year in 2015, offering sweeping successes during 2015 recording the highest ever landscapes of lush green countryside, towering tourist arrivals in history - 1.8 Million. This was waterfalls and golden sand beaches. Dream Trips, the accompanied by a tremendous growth rate of 18% special edition of the Lonely Planet Magazine, has compared with last year arrivals, and we are going endorsed Sri Lanka as one of the Top 10 destinations to ahead for a target of 2.2 Million arrivals in 2016. Sri visit in 2016. In addition to this, Sri Lanka earned a rich Lanka is an island containing a thousand treasures, collection of endorsements from recognised global having the highest biodiversity in Asia, backed by a travel publications from the beginning of 2016. strong culture, historical artefacts, exotic beaches, FoxNews.com, Condé Nast Traveler, ABTA (Association green environment and friendly people. As an island, Sri of British Travel Agents), Harper’s Bazaar (UK) Magazine Lanka Tourism promotes Authenticity, Compactness were a few who endorsed this beautiful country for and Diversity as its unique selling propositions. consideration as a best travel destination in 2016. Sri Lanka has several National Parks and eight UNESCO I am grateful to all practitioners of wildlife conservation World Heritage Sites. The Sinharaja Forest Reserve is and expect their maximum contribution towards a hilly rain forest, home to an abundance of rare and sustainable conservation practises. This would create precious endemic species - trees, amphibians, insects, opportunities for foreign travellers and wildlife lovers birds, reptiles and mammals. In addition, the Central the world over to experience this beautiful island. I’m Highlands are made up of three Wet-zone Parks and is sure this publication will encourage readers to visit situated in the hills in the middle of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka in 2016 and to stay longer in the island, Sri Lanka facilitates all comforts and offers a hassle free experiencing this wonderful destination. 7 EDITORIAL There are very few places in the World where geography, climate Sri Lanka needs development to cater to the growing needs of and evolution have conspired so perfectly together to produce its people. The problem lies with unplanned development, where the natural conditions able to support a profusion of life on land projects are started without any reference to environmental and in the sea as they have with Sri Lanka. Encircled as it is with assessments, and already strained natural systems are pushed to shallow seas of coral and rock reefs, the land builds up from breaking point. The laws are in place to prevent this exploitation forest-clad plains through rainforest slopes, to montane forest but, sadly, these are often practiced mostly in the breach! highlands! This island is blessed with a variety of life, both faunal Driving this destructive practice is, often, ignorance; the lack of and floral, that makes it a wonder to behold. The secret of its understanding that the preservation of the wild places and wild natural profundity is its abundance of fresh water on land, and the creatures of Sri Lanka can result in greater economic benefit to nutrition rich waters that lap its island shores. the country than some of these unplanned developments, and A 3, 000 year historical record gives account of enlightened for a much longer period of time. The Tourism Development rulers who tapped the island’s many rivers and streams to create Authority of Sri Lanka has long recognized this and leads its a network of large and small reservoirs, here called tanks, that website with pictures and descriptions of the natural wonders chequer the landscape from north to south, and ensure that there of Sri Lanka. is water for its inhabitants, both human and animal, throughout the year. These wise ancients not only constructed one of the Two decades ago, the Uda Walawe National Park was hardly greatest hydrological systems in the history of the world, but visited by anyone, and Uda Walawe itself was nothing more also had the understanding and vision to preserve the forests than a small hamlet. Few knew then that this is probably the only and marshes, knowing the importance of their preservation for National Park in the world where a sighting of a wild elephant can the greater benefit of the country and of its peoples, and for the be guaranteed, on any day of the year! There were no hotels in future health and prosperity of the nation. The Royal Rulers of close vicinity of the Park, hardly any jeeps for hire, the nearest fuel yore seemed to have a greater understanding of the importance stations were 20+Km away, and even adequate groceries had of bequeathing a legacy, a desire to pass on a richer heritage to to be purchased from these distant places.