While the growth has boosted tourism-related revenue, the volume of visitors to Minneriya -- and the 4WDs required to transport them through the park -- has caught the attention of wildlife conservationists.

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But wildlife management officials and conservationists say the aerial hunting strategy is based on myth and not science.

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Conservationists no longer throw up their hands in horror at the very idea of wildlife being exploited (for anything other than tourism, which was always all right).

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Conservationists call the refuge "America's Serengetti, " a reference to giant wildlife preserve in Africa.

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