Udawalawe National Park–Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan Elephants (Elephas maximus maximus) are an endangered species and their survival in their natural habitats is threatened due to human activities. Elephants in the wild are constantly being killed, and many elephant calves become orphaned. In order to support these orphaned elephants, the Department of Wildlife Conservation set up the Elephant Transit Home within Udawalawe National Park with help from the Born Free Foundation.The facility was established under the 29th Amendment to the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance Part II.

Udawalawe National Park is an important habitat for water birds and Sri Lankan Elephants. It is a popular tourist destination and the third most visited park in the country.The national park was created to provide a sanctuary for wild animals displaced by the construction of the Udawalawe reservoir on the Walawe River, as well as to protect the catchment of the reservoir.The reserve covers 30,821 hectares  of land area and was established on 30 June 1972.

Animals of Ba Vi National Park - Vietnam

 

Ba Vi National Park is a national park located 48 km  west of Hanoi, Vietnam. The park area  is 7,377 ha, and is located in the Ba Vì mountain range. The park has rich and diverse tropical and subtropical species of flora and fauna. The park is home for more than 800 rare and exotic plants, 280 of which have medicinal applications. It also boasts 44 species of mammal, 15 species of reptile, 9 species of amphibian and more than 100 bird species. This roughly explains why Ba Vi National Park is called “Capital Hanoi’s lung” by most Hanoians.

Ba Vi National Park is located in Ba Vi district of Hanoi and 2 districts of Hoa Binh Province, namely Luong Son and Ky Son. The Park is situated on a mountain range running north-east and south-west with its peak at Vua Peak of 1,296 m and Tan Vien Peak of 1,226 m and Ngoc Hoa Peak of 1,120

To commemorate the importance of Ba Vi National park, Vietnam Post issued the stamp set features animals of this park, Chinese Pangolin, Sumatran Serow, Red-flying squirrel, Asian Black Bear in year 2003

Chinese Pangolin

The Chinese pangolin is a rather secretive animal. They are considered nocturnal creatures and are extremely shy. They move very slowly and are known for their non-aggressive behavior. Their hard scales work as a protection cover from predators and when they feel endangered, they curl themselves in a ball. Chinese pangolins are mainly terrestrial animals and are observed in forests that are about 20 feet high from the ground.

Biodiversity of Hong Kong

The United Nations has proclaimed 2010 as the International Year of Biodiversity.  Therefore  Hong Kong Post presents the commemorative stamp set of four special stamps featuring endemic species including the Hong Kong paradise fish Macropodus hongkongensis, Romer's tree frog (the smallest frog species found in Hong Kong), Sinopora hongkongensis (a plant first discovered in Tai Mo Shan which is new to science) and Fukienogomphus choifongae (a dragonfly first discovered in Wu Kau Tang which is also new to science).The stamps were issued on June 30, 2010.

Macropodus hongkongensis is a new species  endemic in Hong Kong and should be treated as an endangered species.   Compare with the related species  Macropodus concolor,  Macropodus hongkongensis have some discrepancies like the scale pigmentation, appearance overall, the pelvic fin rays .

Year of Fresh Water – Zambia

Celebrating  the year of freshwater as declared by United Nation, Zambia Post issued the stamp set , one miniature sheet consist of three postage stamps, and one souvenir sheet on July 30 2003. The issue stamp depicts the fresh water sources of Zambia and Zimbabwe, such as: Victoria fall, Lake Kariba, Mana Pool, Cahora Bassa Dam

Victoria falls

The Victoria Falls or Mosi-oa-Tunya (the Smoke that Thunders), is a largest waterfall located in southern Africa on the Zambezi River between the countries of Zambia and Zimbabwe.This claim is based on a width of 1,708 metres and height of 108 metres, forming the largest sheet of falling water in the world. The rapid development of surround this place , has prompted the United Nations to consider revoking the Victoria Falls status as a World Heritage Site.

Summer nature 0f Sweden

 

Sweden Post devoted to  their National park by issued the stamp set  features among of the listed park on  14 May 2009 . The National Park was depicted are Abisko National Park, Garphyttan, Store Mosse national Park and Stenshuvud National park

Abisko National Park

Geographically, Abisko is situated in the Swedish province of Lapland near the Norwegian border (distance approx. 37 railway km), and belongs to Kiruna Municipality, Sweden's northernmost and largest municipality.  The total area is 77 km².

The park was established in 1909, the same year Sweden's first laws on nature conservation were created.

The intentions of the Abisko National Park was to "preserve an area with northern Nordic fell nature in its original condition and as a reminiscence for scientific research". The region has proved to be of much scientific interest, as is evidenced by the Abisko Scientific Research Station which exists to study the area. Furthermore, the national park was intended to be a prominent tourism attraction.

Abisko is also home to the Abisko Scientific Research Station, first established in 1903 near the Abisko village and incorporated with the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in 1935. It is used primarily for environmental, biological, and geological research and contains several on-site laboratories as well as off-site field research stations.

There are many species of birds in the park. Of the mammals, smaller ones like the marten, stoat, squirrel, the fell lemming and similar are common parts of the fauna. Of larger animals, the Moose and reindeer are common, and moose droppings and tracks are found; however, wolverines, arctic foxes, lynx and bears are only seen sporadically.

Stenshuvud National Park

Stenshuvud is a hill in the southeastern corner of Sweden, in the province of Scania, close to Kivik in Simrishamn Municipality. Since 1986, it is one of the National parks of Sweden. The park covers an area of about 3.9 km².

Yllastunturi National Park- Finland

To promote their national park, Finland Post issued the stamp set features Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park   on January 22, 2009. The issue only one stamp depict this national park and shown map of its location .

Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park is the third-largest national park in Finland, located in the Lapland region and   covering 1,020 square kilometres . The high fells of the park are the southernmost place to see some arctic species in Finland. There are almost 100 kilometres  of fell chain in the National Park. The highest fell in this chain is Taivaskero, which is 807 metres  high.

 

Most of the park consists of primeval forests and various types of muskeg. Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park was formally established in 2005, when Pallas-Ounastunturi National Park was joined with Ylläs-Aakenus protected area. Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park has around 350 kilometres  of marked hiking trails. There are 14 nature trails in the National Park, of which 8 are in the Ylläs area, 4 in the Pallas area, and 2 are in the Ounastunturi Fells area.There are many options for day trips.The most popular hiking trail in Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park is the Hetta–Pallas Trail, which is 55 kilometres  long