Hiyare rainforest bordered by the Hiyare reservoir is a secondary lowland rainforest with a high diversity and endemism of species that spans over 600 acres in Galle district. The reservoir was established in 1919 and the forest acts as its catchment. Mahadola, which is a major stream that enriches the river, also originates from here.
The Wildlife Conservation Society of Galle runs a field center at this premises in order to conduct educational programs, conservations and researches. The Animal Rescue Program is one of the major activities carried out under the Biodiversity Conservation Effort at Hiyare which provide medical care for injured wild animals, rehabilitate them and then release back into the wild. Moreover, those animals are further observed closely after releasing, to confirm that they have settled in suitably.
Upon arriving at the rescue center, you will be greeted by your ranger host. He will first brief you on today’s experience and instruct you on interacting with the injured animals. He will also give you a safety brief on the rainforest trek we due later on today. After the briefing you visit the animal rescue center and learn about the service their doing to save the animals who are injured, displaced and destitute due to highways, constructions and other human activities.
After this we start our adventure entering the Hiyare rainforest by foot where we do a short trek learning about the forest eco system in Sri Lanka and about their many flora and fauna.
