The park is a dry season feeding ground for the elephant population dwelling in forests of Matale, Polonnaruwa, and Trincomalee districts.

Terminalia arjuna, Manilkara hexandra, neem (Azadirachta indica), sacred fig (Ficus religiosa) and Piliostigma racemosum are commonly found in the area around the Minneriya tank.

[1] Chloroxylon swietenia, Vitex altissima, Berrya cordifolia, Diospyros quaesita, and Drypetes sepiaria are dominant plant species in Minneriya.

Monocots and grass species include Bambusa bambos, Ceylon date palm (Phoenix pusilla), Imperata cylindrica, and Panicum maximum.

[4] Large numbers of Sri Lankan elephants are attracted to grass fields on the edges of the reservoir during the dry season.

The park is an important habitat for the two endemic monkeys of Sri Lanka: purple-faced langur and toque macaque.

[6] The Minneriya reservoir is an important habitat for large water birds such as lesser adjutant, painted stork, and spot-billed pelican.

The main threat to the park's forest is clearance for firewood and the practice might be resulted in decreasing the levels of water of the reservoir.

[1] Water pollution in bathing areas, encroachment, illegal agricultural practices, overfishing, poaching are the other threats caused by man.