Last week we went to the Dehiwala zoo. I went with my father, mother, sister and brother. We reached the zoo at around 12.00 p.m. We bought tickets and entered the zoo. First we all felt so much of hungry. Therefore we had our lunch in a restaurant. Then went to see the birds. There were many birds of beautiful colours.
The Dehiwala Zoo, also known as the Colombo Zoo, is one of the oldest zoological parks in Asia. The National Zoological Gardens of Sri Lanka is called as Colombo Zoo in Dehiwala is founded in 1936.Its sprawling areas are host to a variety of animals and birds. The zoo exhibits animals but also places an emphasis on animal conservation and welfare, and education.
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 spreads over an area of 11 acres and has a rare collection of fauna from all across the world.
The zoo spreads over an area of 11 acres and has a rare collection of fauna from all across the world.
The zoo has an impressive collection of some 3000 animals and 350 species. There is also a charming little butterfly garden that seems like it is out of some fairy tale book.It is decorated with small shrubs, trees, a rippling creek and beautiful creepers.
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. The butterfly garden exhibits 30 species of butterflies with their all stages of life cycle for educational purposes.
The highlight of this zoo is the elephant show, which is held every evening. The elephant's performance are held at elephant arena with certain time table. In shows elephants are performed very talentfully and such standing on their heads, wiggling their backs to music, hopping on one foot and standing up on their hind legs. This is an extremely cruel practice which is forced upon the elephants. The elephants in Dehiwala Zoo are chained, throughout the day in abusive conditions. Many of these elephants are showing neurotic and self-harming behavior, such as swaying back and forth all day long.
Along with this the sea lion performance is another wonderful experience.The sea lions' performance are 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. That is the reality of the 'wonderful' moment.
We also saw lions, tigers, bears, monkeys and cheetahs. The monkeys were very cute and I fed them. We also saw many other animals such as crocodiles, fishes, chimpanzees and apes.
One of the main attraction of Dehiwala Zoo is Sanju - a baby chimpanzee. Sanju was hand raised and now its show is exerted as educational programme about the chimpanzee's behaviors . People can enjoy Sanju's daily performances. It would be curious to know if Sanju enjoys his 'own' performance.
After that we walked along the lanes of the zoo. We went to the Aquarium. There we saw many varieties of fish such as Nemo, Catfish and Capfish.
There was so much of foreigners came to visit our zoo.
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Elephant rides, pony rides, restaurants, boat riding, ice cream shop, and a souvenir shop are available facilities for the visitors.
Then we went to a shop where we ate popcorn. After that we sat under a tree and had our tea with cake and biscuits. At 8.00 p.m. we returned home. We will never forget this trip.
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