This tropical rainforest, which is believed to be the habitat for nearly half of Sri Lanka's endemic birds, attracts numerous visitors who are eager to explore and witness this extraordinary natural marvel that is teeming with endemic species of plants and animals. 

​

The reserve's remarkable vegetation diversity has created a favorable sanctuary for a wide range of creatures, including birds, mammals, reptiles, insects, fish, amphibians, and plant life, all coexisting harmoniously within the ecosystem.

​

Among the larger mammals found here are elephants, leopards, sambar deer, fishing cats, rusty spotted cats, barking deer, mouse deer, jackals, and wild boars, while the commonly sighted endemic species include the purple-faced langur and the toque macaque, a reddish-brown monkey. 

​​

The rainforest is also home to smaller mammals such as porcupines, otters, three types of squirrels (giant, small striped, and flying), two species of mongooses (badger and brown), two species of civets (ring-tailed and golden palm), numerous species of bandicoots, rats, bats, and even the extremely rare pangolin.