Loris Watching from Kitulgala

Five decades ago, a British naval officer’s love for trees resulted in an arboretum in our island country. Built across seven acres at that time, it spread to over 34 acres after he gifted it to IFS (Institute of Fundamental Studies). Today, Sam Popham’s Arboretum is home to several species of birds, butterflies, dragonflies and mammals, including the rare, nocturnal slender loris, which is native to Sri Lanka and India. Since our naturalists are accustomed to this unique sanctuary of flora and fauna, you can trust them to guide you effortlessly through the night walk. They’ll use torches with relatively less obtrusive red lights to search for the loris and switch on the white lights only when they spot one. These arboreal animals have long slender bodies and big round eyes that shine in the darkness. Besides the loris, you might spot mouse deer, civet cats and rabbits too. A walk around this natural haven might give you an experience you’ll cherish for a lifetime.