national zoological gardens

Histroy
• Started as a Private Animal collection in
early 1920’s at Dehiwala.
• Established as a government department
in 1939.
Legal Mandate
• Legal provisions under the Section 55 of
the Fauna and Flora and Protection
Ordinance .
• Currently governed by the National
Zoological Gardens Act No 41 of 1982.
Functional Responsibilities
of the Department
•
Mandate is the Ex –situ conservation of
fauna.
•
Conservation Education and Awareness
Building through recreational opportunities.
Objectives of the
Organization
• Animal Management and
Wellbeing.
• Conservation and breeding.
• Education and outreach.
• Research.
• Entertainment and recreation.
Animal Management and Wellbeing
Do best for animals to keep
them healthy, well fed
condition in naturalized
environments.
Conservation and breeding
Providing a long term refuge for rare
endangered and endemic fauna through
captive breeding and maintaining selfsustaining population.
Education and outreach
By providing factual information that will build
an appreciation and respect for wildlife and the
environment and educational experience that
will foster the love for wildlife and increasing
public awareness of the need for conservation.
Education and outreach activities & Programmes:
• Library Facilities
• Souvenir Shop
• Publications
• Workshop
• Exhibitionism for Exhibition
• Awareness Programmes
Research
• Conduct and facilitate research on animal
management reproduction and
conservation biology that benefits wildlife
locally and globally.
• Expand the knowledge about animals and
their habitats by participating and
organizing local and international
workshops and conferences.
• Take steps to create a genetic data base of
Sri Lankan fauna.
Entertainment and recreation
We take advantage of this to provide a wide range of
visitors with an enjoyable, recreational and family
oriented experience in a clean, safe and pleasant
environment by managing a diverse zoological
collection.
Special entertainment programmes:
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Elephant Performance
Sea Lion Performance
Pony Riding
Bird Show
Reptile Show
Food Feeding
Entertainment and recreation
Current Operational Units
• The National Zoo in Dehiwala
• Elephant Orphanage in Pinnawala
New Units to be Opened
• New Zoo in Pinnawala
• Safari Park in Hambanthota
The National Zoo in Dehiwala
Mr John Hargengerg
initially started in early
1920’s as a private
collection in 11 acres.
It was taken over by the
government in 1936 and
now operates in 23
acres.
The National Zoo in Dehiwala….
•
Comprises of around 310 species
(with Fish and Bird) of animals
approximately 7300 numbers
•
A small Aquarium has also been
included in 1973. There are 20 local
and 80 exotic aquatic species.
• Stated based on the “cage” concept as many
older zoos.
• Now developing the animal holding facilities
as large enclosures in all possible cases.
•
Improved health and welfare facilities
- Animal Hospital
- Animal Nursery
Dehiwala Zoo….
Elephant Orphanage in Pinnawala
Elephant Orphanage in Pinnawala ….
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage was established
under the Department of Wildlife Conservation
in year 1975 with five orphan elephants in an area
of 25 acres at Pinnawala, Rambukkana.
In 1982 the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage was
taken over by the Department of National
Zoological Gardens.
.
• Now mainly operating as a Conservation
and breeding Center for Asian Elephants .
• 78 elephants in different age groups both
captive born and wild born.
• Provide education through;
- Observation, Information, material
- Interaction by feeding, bathing
- Participate in volunteer programmes.
Elephant Orphanage ….
Pinnawala New Zoo
Based on “Open Range Zoo Concept
The main idea of this Zoo is to provide free living
spaces for animals rather than cages or small
enclosures.
It is designed to be developed with two major
zones as Sri Lankan Zone with 40 acres and World
Zone with 80 acres.
The deer enclosure
The leopard enclosure
Zoo Development Plan for Sri Lankan Zone
(Right Bank of the River)
Zoo Development Plan for World Zone
(Left Bank of the River)
Safari Park
Will provide African Safari Experience to the visitors
The new Safari Park at Ridiyagama, Hambanthota will
provide better free living conditions to animals while
opening a new avenue to promote ecotourism.
The Park will bring “safari” experiences to Sri Lankan
nature lovers.
African Zone
Development Plan of the Safari Park
Common features for all New
Units…
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Large animal holding areas .
More naturalized conditions and enrichments.
Better health and welfare facilities for animal
More emphasis on conservation and breeding
Better observation/viewing facilities for
visitors.
• More towards education
• More facilities to conduct Research
Visitors Arrival
Visitors
Category
2012
Dehiwala
Local
Foreign
Total
2013
Painnawala
Dehiwala
Painnawala
1,412,062
497,157
1,429,322
437,628
21,188
266,297
27,120
278,740
1,433,250
763,454
1,456,442
716,368