Blocks One and Two of the Yala National Park will be temporarily closed from 14 September, taking into consideration the heat stress experienced by animals and Wildlife Conservation officers due to the prevailing high temperatures. Speaking on a television programme yesterday (7), the Additional Director General (Operations) of the Wildlife Conservation Department, Manjula Amararathna stated that the prevailing hot weather conditions have severely affected animals due to both water scarcity and heat stress. The large number of safari jeeps operating inside the Park under these conditions creates significant difficulties for Wildlife Conservation officers in carrying out their duties. Officials are also closely monitoring the situation in other arid areas, including Yala Blocks One and Two, as well as the Mannar area and the vicinity of the Wilpattu National Park. Steps would be taken to close the relevant national parks when necessary or provide the required facilities to enable both animals and Wildlife Conservation officers to function without being adversely affected by heat stress.