The forest reserve is an important habitat of the Sri Lankan elephant.

[7] Chloroxylon swietenia (Sinhalese "Burutha"), Manilkara hexandra ("Palu") and Diospyros ebenum ("Kaluwara") are the dominant tree species.

The Sri Lankan elephant is known for its migratory behavior and does so especially in the dry season between the forests situated around the area.

[2] Expansion of human settlements and forest clearance resulted in a human–elephant clash.

Recently a distinguished one-tusked adult male individual walk past Hurulu Forest reserve to reach its home, traveling for a month and 243 km[8] after being translocated in Somawathiya National Park, 93 km away in a straight line.