Endangered

Now, let me start by saying this: Sri Lanka is home to some of the most astonishing creatures on Earth. Really, it is. We’re talking about animals so magnificent, so unique, so wonderfully odd that you can’t help but feel a deep, almost existential sense of wonder just thinking about them. Imagine, for instance, a cat the size of a teapot, perfectly camouflaged to disappear into the undergrowth (that’s the Rusty-Spotted Cat for you). Or take the pangolin—a creature that looks like a cross between a pine cone and an armadillo, and when threatened, rolls itself into an impressively compact ball, presumably thinking, "Well, if I can't see you, you can't see me." The sad part, though, is that many of these creatures are, well, in trouble. Big trouble. And it’s not just the kind of trouble you can solve with a few handshakes and a stern look. No, we’re talking habitat loss, poaching, pollution—the whole disastrous cocktail of human-caused problems that puts many of these creatures on the brink of vanishing. That’s where this page comes in. Here, we’re shining a very bright spotlight on the animals that need it the most—those that are desperately trying to survive in a world that, frankly, hasn’t been very kind to them. You’ll meet the iconic Sri Lankan elephant, the enchanting loris with eyes as wide as saucers, and even a sea cow (yes, that’s a real thing), all of whom would love nothing more than to stick around for a few more millennia, if only we could give them a hand. But here’s the good news (and I promise there is some): you can help. No, really. By simply learning about these animals, spreading the word, and—when the mood strikes—taking some small steps like reducing plastic use or supporting conservation efforts, you can make a massive difference. And if that sounds like a bit of a tall order, just think of it as your chance to be the David Attenborough of your friend group. Not a bad gig, right? So, go ahead, explore this page, fall in love with these creatures, and if you feel inclined to tell someone else about the Rusty-Spotted Cat or the dugong—do it. Tell everyone. Tell them how important these animals are and why they deserve to share this incredible island with us. Because at the end of the day, if we don’t protect these amazing animals, who will?