Are there aggressive wild water buffalo in Sri Lankan parks?

Yes, wild water buffalo in Sri Lankan national parks can be pretty aggressive and highly territorial. They are massive, unpredictable animals, and they should never be approached on foot under any circumstances.

Even with that aggression, tourists remain perfectly safe because strict park regulations make sure visitors stay inside their hired safari jeeps at all times. As long as you remain in the vehicle, the buffalo will usually ignore you while grazing or wallowing in the mudholes of Yala or Udawalawe.