Explore Sri Lanka
No Result
View All Result
  • About Us
  • Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • What’s On
  • What’s On April 2024
  • What’s On August 2024
  • What’s On December
  • What’s On July 2024
  • What’s On June 2024
  • What’s On March 2024
  • What’s On May 2024
  • What’s On October 2024
  • What’s On September 2024
  • Home
  • Issues
    • 1983 - 1990
      • 1987
        • May 1987
        • June 1987
        • July 1987
        • August 1987
        • September 1987
        • October 1987
        • November 1987
        • December 1987
      • 1988
        • January 1988
        • February 1988
        • March 1988
        • April 1988
        • May 1988
        • June 1988
        • July 1988
        • August 1988
        • September 1988
        • October 1988
        • November 1988
        • December 1988
      • 1989
        • January - March 1989
        • April 1989
        • May 1989
        • June 1989
        • July 1989
        • August 1989
        • September 1989
        • October 1989
        • November 1989
    • 2010 - 2019
      • 2010
        • January 2010
        • February 2010
        • March 2010
        • April 2010
        • May 2010
        • June 2010
        • July 2010
        • August 2010
        • September 2010
        • October 2010
        • November 2010
        • December 2010
      • 2011
        • January 2011
        • February 2011
        • March 2011
        • April 2011
        • May 2011
        • June 2011
        • July 2011
        • August 2011
        • September 2011
        • October 2011
        • November 2011
        • December 2011
      • 2012
        • January 2012
        • February 2012
        • March 2012
        • April 2012
        • May 2012
        • June 2012
        • July 2012
        • August 2012
        • September 2012
        • October 2012
        • November 2012
        • December 2012
      • 2013
        • January 2013
        • February 2013
        • March 2013
        • April 2013
        • May 2013
        • June 2013
        • July 2013
        • August 2013
        • September 2013
        • October 2013
        • November 2013
        • December 2013
      • 2014
        • January 2014
        • February 2014
        • March 2014
        • April 2014
        • May 2014
        • June 2014
        • July 2014
        • August 2014
        • September 2014
        • October 2014
        • November 2014
        • December 2014
      • 2015
        • January 2015
        • February 2015
        • March 2015
        • April 2015
        • May 2015
        • June 2015
        • July 2015
        • August 2015
        • September 2015
        • October 2015
        • November 2015
        • December 2015
      • 2016
        • January 2016
        • February 2016
        • March 2016
        • April 2016
        • May 2016
        • June 2016
        • July 2016
        • August 2016
        • September 2016
        • October 2016
        • November 2016
        • December 2016
      • 2017
        • January 2017
        • February 2017
        • March 2017
        • April 2017
        • May 2017
        • June 2017
        • July 2017
        • August 2017
        • September 2017
        • October 2017
        • November 2017
        • December 2017
      • 2018
        • January 2018
        • February 2018
        • March 2018
        • April 2018
        • May 2018
        • June 2018
        • July 2018
        • August 2018
        • September 2018
        • October 2018
        • November 2018
        • December 2018
      • 2019
        • January 2019
        • February 2019
        • March 2019
        • April 2019
        • May 2019
        • June 2019
        • July 2019
        • August 2019
        • September 2019
        • October 2019
        • November 2019
        • December 2019
    • 2020 - 2024
      • 2020
        • January 2020
        • February 2020
        • March 2020
        • September 2020
        • October 2020
        • November 2020
        • December 2020
      • 2021
        • January 2021
        • February 2021
        • March 2021
        • April 2021
        • May 2021
        • June 2021
        • July 2021
        • August 2021
        • September 2021
        • October 2021
        • November 2021
        • December 2021
      • 2022
        • January 2022
        • February 2022
        • March 2022
        • May 2022
        • April 2022
        • June 2022
        • July 2022
        • August 2022
        • September 2022
        • October 2022
        • November 2022
        • December 2022
      • 2023
        • January 2023
        • February 2023
        • March 2023
        • April 2023
        • May 2023
        • June 2023
        • July 2023
        • August 2023
        • September 2023
        • October 2023
        • November 2023
        • December 2023
      • 2024
        • January 2024
        • February 2024
        • March 2024
        • May 2024
        • April 2024
        • June 2024
        • July 2024
        • August 2024
        • September 2024
        • October 2024
        • November 2024
        • December 2024
    • 2025-2029
      • 2025
        • January 2025
        • February 2025
        • March 2025
        • April 2025
        • May 2025
        • June 2025
  • For Digital Subscription
  • About Us
  • What’s On
    slide
No Result
View All Result
Explore Sri Lanka
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Issues
    • 1983 - 1990
      • 1987
        • May 1987
        • June 1987
        • July 1987
        • August 1987
        • September 1987
        • October 1987
        • November 1987
        • December 1987
      • 1988
        • January 1988
        • February 1988
        • March 1988
        • April 1988
        • May 1988
        • June 1988
        • July 1988
        • August 1988
        • September 1988
        • October 1988
        • November 1988
        • December 1988
      • 1989
        • January - March 1989
        • April 1989
        • May 1989
        • June 1989
        • July 1989
        • August 1989
        • September 1989
        • October 1989
        • November 1989
    • 2010 - 2019
      • 2010
        • January 2010
        • February 2010
        • March 2010
        • April 2010
        • May 2010
        • June 2010
        • July 2010
        • August 2010
        • September 2010
        • October 2010
        • November 2010
        • December 2010
      • 2011
        • January 2011
        • February 2011
        • March 2011
        • April 2011
        • May 2011
        • June 2011
        • July 2011
        • August 2011
        • September 2011
        • October 2011
        • November 2011
        • December 2011
      • 2012
        • January 2012
        • February 2012
        • March 2012
        • April 2012
        • May 2012
        • June 2012
        • July 2012
        • August 2012
        • September 2012
        • October 2012
        • November 2012
        • December 2012
      • 2013
        • January 2013
        • February 2013
        • March 2013
        • April 2013
        • May 2013
        • June 2013
        • July 2013
        • August 2013
        • September 2013
        • October 2013
        • November 2013
        • December 2013
      • 2014
        • January 2014
        • February 2014
        • March 2014
        • April 2014
        • May 2014
        • June 2014
        • July 2014
        • August 2014
        • September 2014
        • October 2014
        • November 2014
        • December 2014
      • 2015
        • January 2015
        • February 2015
        • March 2015
        • April 2015
        • May 2015
        • June 2015
        • July 2015
        • August 2015
        • September 2015
        • October 2015
        • November 2015
        • December 2015
      • 2016
        • January 2016
        • February 2016
        • March 2016
        • April 2016
        • May 2016
        • June 2016
        • July 2016
        • August 2016
        • September 2016
        • October 2016
        • November 2016
        • December 2016
      • 2017
        • January 2017
        • February 2017
        • March 2017
        • April 2017
        • May 2017
        • June 2017
        • July 2017
        • August 2017
        • September 2017
        • October 2017
        • November 2017
        • December 2017
      • 2018
        • January 2018
        • February 2018
        • March 2018
        • April 2018
        • May 2018
        • June 2018
        • July 2018
        • August 2018
        • September 2018
        • October 2018
        • November 2018
        • December 2018
      • 2019
        • January 2019
        • February 2019
        • March 2019
        • April 2019
        • May 2019
        • June 2019
        • July 2019
        • August 2019
        • September 2019
        • October 2019
        • November 2019
        • December 2019
    • 2020 - 2024
      • 2020
        • January 2020
        • February 2020
        • March 2020
        • September 2020
        • October 2020
        • November 2020
        • December 2020
      • 2021
        • January 2021
        • February 2021
        • March 2021
        • April 2021
        • May 2021
        • June 2021
        • July 2021
        • August 2021
        • September 2021
        • October 2021
        • November 2021
        • December 2021
      • 2022
        • January 2022
        • February 2022
        • March 2022
        • May 2022
        • April 2022
        • June 2022
        • July 2022
        • August 2022
        • September 2022
        • October 2022
        • November 2022
        • December 2022
      • 2023
        • January 2023
        • February 2023
        • March 2023
        • April 2023
        • May 2023
        • June 2023
        • July 2023
        • August 2023
        • September 2023
        • October 2023
        • November 2023
        • December 2023
      • 2024
        • January 2024
        • February 2024
        • March 2024
        • May 2024
        • April 2024
        • June 2024
        • July 2024
        • August 2024
        • September 2024
        • October 2024
        • November 2024
        • December 2024
    • 2025-2029
      • 2025
        • January 2025
        • February 2025
        • March 2025
        • April 2025
        • May 2025
        • June 2025
  • For Digital Subscription
  • About Us
  • What’s On
Home August 2012

The ‘New’ Colombo Zoo

by
0
327
SHARES
2.5k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
PDF Button
The restful precincts of the Colombo Zoo

Be it families with infants and toddlers in tow or the wizened elderly, they all saunter through the gates of the Colombo Zoo. A steady stream of heads and shuffling feet frequent the maze of paths that traverse the expanse of 23 acres during all hours of the day. For generations, the zoo has been offering visitors a generous peek into a diverse and exuberant animal kingdom. With many rare and exotic species within its confines, today it has taken new strides to enhance the experience for both visitors and its treasured inhabitants.

Words Prasadini Nanayakkara  Photographs Indika De Silva

Entering the premises of 
the National Zoological Gardens in Colombo is to be engulfed in the shade of lush 
canopies, landscaped lawns and patches of garden while the charismatic occupants emerge within their enclosures. One of the first sights is the shy zebras at close range, and beyond are up to 350 species to be discovered that translate to an excess of 3500 animals in numbers. Amongst these are as many as 100 species of mammals that populate the vast acreage with marsupials, primates, cats, hoofed mammals, bears and marine mammals.

The immense diversity that can be witnessed here took place as a gradual ascension that began in the 1900s with John Hagenbeck who was engaged in animal circuses. He purchased five acres of land to hold animals as he began a trade exporting them to Europe. This collection centre became an attraction amongst the residents and it was in 1936 that the government took over the area, establishing it as a zoological garden. Today under the purview of Basil Rajapaksa, Minister of Economic 
Development, the Zoological Garden begins a new phase of development with facilities and infrastructure for both visitors and animals being 
revamped and refurbished.

Today there are rare and endangered species, some endemic while others were acquired through exchange programmes; for instance, the much treasured pair of African Black Rhinocerous brought down from Japan in 2007 as zoo bred animals. With just 3000 rhinos in the wild and 200 in captivity they are deemed animals of high value. At the Colombo Zoo, the male and female pair occupy an enclosure that is currently under an expansion programme to provide ample space that would enable breeding. At present a walkway bridge runs over the enclosure so that visitors may enjoy a closer look at the pair, and dents have been created to safely isolate the rhino for inspection or treatment whenever necessary. The rhino enclosure can also be further expanded as they share territories with the adjacent African Greater Kudu. 
And the scientifically devised mixed species enclosures such as this, 
is another means of expansion along with natural barriers in place for the animals to roam more freely. At the outer extreme of the rhino enclosure a museum and displays will further enhance the viewing and learning experience for visitors. Similarly a free living area for the elephants and upgraded cages for animals are some of the welfare measures taken for the wellbeing of the animals.

Visitors too can benefit from the many upgrades that are underway.Paths have been refurbished with greater ease of access

Visitors too can benefit from the many upgrades that are underway. Paths have been refurbished with access to the differently-abled designed wherever possible. Eco friendly sanitary facilities have been built with modern technology while in addition, comforts such as baby rooms for mothers with infants and sanitary facilities for those with disabilities have also been incorporated. The newly refurbished spacious restaurant is ideal to host birthday parties where guests from the animal kingdom may also make special appearances on request.

Amongst these are as many as 100 species of mammals that populate the vast acreage with marsupials, primates, cats hoofed mammals, bears and marine mammals.

One of the most recent and significant additions to the Zoo is the Animal Nursery and Veterinary Laboratory. This three storey state-of-the-art building is one of a kind not only in the country but in the region as well. Opened just this year, it would allow veterinary surgeons to perform a series of intricate tasks for the well-being of the animals. 
It affords the desired conditions to care for young animals of different species in a natural environment enabled by adequate technology. Neonatal mammals room, mammalian food preparation and keeper’s room, baby carnivore room, baby ostrich rearing room, baby herbivore mammals room, baby primates, ICU and incubation room, aviation food preparation room and hatchling rearing room all occupy the ground floor. Here, the level of hygiene and security has been conscientiously maintained with biosecurity measures for the protection of the wee ones that would occupy this floor.

Outside each room is a panel to control temperature and humidity within and cameras installed allow the cubs or hatchlings to be observed on CCTV display panels outside each room without intrusion. The individual rooms have been 
designed with specific species and functions in mind. For instance, the timber floors have been used for the baby carnivore rooms so that the cubs may find good footing. 
Each of the baby rooms has an open air area with natural settings and ventilation so that they may be gradually introduced to the natural environment. These external and internal compartments in turn afford the requirements for various development stages of the animal. These rooms including the ICU allow not only zoo bred fragile cubs but also those orphaned in the wild to find refuge here till they are capable of thriving on their own. As a result, everything from species specific milk powder, to medicines are made available at the Animal Nursery.

One of the most recent and significant additions to the Zoo is the Animal Nursery and Veterinary Laboratory.

The floors above accommodate the CCTV control room for close observation, a one of a kind forensic lab, a drug store, auditorium and veterinary surgeon’s offices. 
The sophisticated forensic laboratory conducts species identifications on samples that arrive at the Zoo to provide expert evidence when needed.

With many aspects of the Colombo Zoo thus enhanced for the welfare and wellbeing of animals, visitors and even zoo keepers, a day out at the Zoo may well offer an appreciable dose of recreation, education and experience in the animal kingdom.

Tel: (+94 11) 276 1554

Email: zoosl@slt.lk

colombozoo.gov.lk

[nggallery id=365]

Previous Post

Dankutu Dankutu: The Making Of The Traditional Drum

Next Post

Tracing The Story Of Lanka Patuna

Next Post
Tracing The Story Of Lanka Patuna

Tracing The Story Of Lanka Patuna

No Result
View All Result

Categories

exlpore-sri-lanka-logo

Location

20-2/1 Lauries Place Facing R A de Mel Mawatha Colombo 04.

Contact

(+94) 715 134 134

Email

info@btoptions.com

© 2023 BT Options. All Rights Reserved.