National Zoological Gardens of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has a history of collecting and keeping wild animals as pets by some Sinhalese kings as well as some British. What is known today as National Zoological Gardens of Sri Lanka was founded by John Hagenbeck in the late 1920s. It was closed at the beginning of World War II in 1939 because of the owner of that company was a German. After the liquidation of Zoological Garden Company in 1936, the government acquired much of the collection and added it to the Dehiwala Zoo (Zoological Garden of Ceylon) collection. Although Dehiwala Zoo officially began operating in 1939, an impressive animal collection already existed there as part of Hagenback company's holding area, where the public could visit.

Major Aubrey Neil Weinman, OBE was the first Director of the Dehiwala Zoo. During his period various programs were developed, such as introducing more native and foreign species, educational and conservation programs, improving the facilities and infrastructures and more.

By 1969, half of the collection consisted of native species including virtually all of the mammals represented. In 1973, the zoo had 158 mammal species, 259 bird species, 56 reptile species and 7 fish species. However, not much has been reported on Zoo progress until the 1980s.

Before World War I, the Dehiwala Zoo was also involved in Ethnographic Expositions (human zoo exhibits)[4] and functioned as holding quarters for live human exhibits collected from around the region.[5]

Red lionfish (Pterois volitans) in Dehiwala zoo Aquarium

Dehiwala Zoological Garden is one of the oldest zoological gardens in Asia and one of the most abusive. It has a substantial collection of worldwide animals. It is open all year long and can be reached by public transportation. Diversity of the zoo is indicated by the presence of an aquarium, walk through aviary, reptile house, butterfly garden and many small, dilapidated cages and enclosures, housing starving, bored animals, living in prison-like conditions.

The zoological garden has a small, but picturesque butterfly garden which is decorated with small shrubs, trees, creepers and small streams. Internal temperature and humidity of the house is controlled by artificially created mist. The butterfly garden exhibits 30 species of butterflies with their all stages of life cycle for educational purposes.

The zoo has dense tree coverage and well-landscaped gardens. To provide more natural habitats some lawns of the Zoo have been converted into small forest patches which are rich in rare plants. Valuable medicinal plants are prominent among the trees in these patches.

The zoo consists of shady pathways (dim-lit and shady indeed) with arched cemented bridges are classic ways to cross an animal enclosure although there are plenty of equally attractive alternatives.

The elephant (Elephas maximus maximus) performances in Dehiwala zoo.

Elephant performance

The elephant performances are held at the elephant arena with a certain time table. Pachyderms in shows perform antics such standing on their heads, wiggling their backs to music, hopping on one foot and standing up on their hind legs.

Educational programme on chimps

One of the main attraction of Dehiwala Zoo is Sanju - a baby chimpanzee. Sanju was hand raised and now its show is exerted as an educational programme about the chimpanzee's behaviours. People can enjoy Sanju's daily performances.

Sea lion performances

The sea lions' performance is displayed daily at the sea lions' pool according to a time table. Two California sea lions are fed by their keepers during this wonderful moment. Unfortunately, this sea lion was housed in a measly enclosure, with a makeshift bathtub to swim in, when not performing.

Jaguar (Panthera onca) at Dehiwala Zoo, Sri Lanka.

The zoo consists of diverse indigenous as well as foreign wildlife including mammals, reptiles, birds and fish, destined for a horrible and torturous time spent. Every year the zoo exchanges some of its animals with other zoos worldwide to enlarge the diversity of its animals and introduce new species of animals as well.

Dehiwala Zoo always trying to introduce new members to their animal collection to expand it. In 2008, 3 month old seal has been brought to Sri Lanka from the Krefeld Zoo in Germany.[6]

A green anaconda (Eunectes murinus) which was brought to Sri Lanka some five years ago along with a male of the species, has given birth to 23 baby anacondas in the Dehiwala Zoo in 2008, and 20 of them had survived.[7] This was a very rare occasion of giving birth while in captivity, especially in a relatively unfamiliar territory.

The ongoing animal breeding program is helpful for increasing the population of some animal species in the zoo and it also important for conservation of the endangered species in the world.

The table contains the introduction of new animal species which have been reported by the zoo administration to the media. The number of introduced and newborn animal species changes with the time due to death, animal exchanges with other zoos and some unavoidable circumstances.

Elephant rides, pony rides, restaurants, boat riding, ice cream shop, and a souvenir shop are available facilities for the visitors.

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  A pair of jaguars (Panthera onca)
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  A pair of scarlet macaws (Ara macao)
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  Syrian brown bear (Ursus arctos syriacus)
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  Sri Lankan axis deer (Axis axis ceylonensis)
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  Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris)
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  Discus (Symphysodon spp.) fish
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  Scarlet macaws (Ara macao)
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  Scarlet ibis (Eudocimus ruber)
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  Peahen (Pavo cristatus)
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  Swan at a pond in Dehiwala Zoo (Cygnus olor)
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  Orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) enclosure in Dehiwala National Zoological Garden.
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  Ostrich

• Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
• Pinnawala Zoo

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Dehiwala Zoo.

• Official website
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