On March 23, 1900 the British government proclaimed Yala and Wilpattu reserves under the Forest Ordinance. Initially the extent of the reserve was 389 square kilometres between the Menik and Kumbukkan Rivers. At that time the reserve did not bear the name Yala. The Game Protection Society (now the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society) was instrumental in establishing the reserve. The forest area between Palatupana and Yala was declared a hunting site reserved only for the resident sportsmen.
Hendrik Engelbrecht was a Boer (South African) Prisoner of War - one of 5,000 interned in Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) after the British victory in the South African War of 1899-1902. He had refused to swear allegiance to the British Crown – which was a prerequisite for permission to return to South Africa after the Boer war ended (on 31st May 1902). He was sent to Hamabantota and received Rs. 1 1/4 per month, which was a very small amount and he was ejected from his house in 1905. However, public support resulted in Engelbrecht to be installed in the post of Warden of the Yala Game Sanctuary by Governor Blake. However, he was accused of supplying the German ship Emden with meat duriunbg World War I, and was subsequently arrested, removed from his post at the Yala Game Sanctuary, and detained in the Kandy Barracks. His reinstatement in office a three months later was in itself a declaration that he had been found innocent.
The warden used to traverse Panama, Okanda, Kumana, Yala, Buthawa, Palatupana, Kirinda, Tissamaharama and finally arrives Hambantota to collect his pay packet from government authority and buys back provisions and other essentials returning via the same route.
He administered the park well, taking care of wildlife and nabbing unauthorized hunters.
The cache (a bison tube) is hidden in a hole in a tree (facing north-west). The tree is close to the round structure close to the park entrance.