Elephants Show at Dehiwala Zoo

                              
The Dehiwala Zoo is one of the finest in Asia and its sprawling ares are host to a variety of animals and birds. Drive 6 miles from Colombo, south along the Galle Road. Turn left at Allen Avenue, Dehiwala, and follow the signposta.

It is pleasing to see many animals in their natural habitat. Whether it be lions, bears, tigers, rhinos, giraffes or gorillas, there is a greater freedom here than in many zoos around the world. The sight of painted storks fishing in the pond or screeching macaws ruffling their bright feathers immediately puts any visitor at ease.

The highlight of the zoo is the elephant circus which comes on daily at 5.15 pm, withextra shows on Sunday and holidays at 3.15pm. The huge pachyderms perform all sorts of antics like standing on their heads, wiggling their backs to music, hopping on one foot and standing up on their hind legs.

When the biggest of the elephants begins to play a soundless mouth organ, the older elephants start skipping and trooping behind. There is an exciting moment when an elephant places a foot on the mahout's stomach and lifts him by the head using its mouth. The end of the performance signals a mass exodus from the zoo. It's best to get your bearings to the exit so that you can quickly make your way out and catch a taxi back to Colombo.

National zoo in Sri Lanka, one of the largest in Asia

Sri Lanka's premier zoo at Dehiwela, which is located 11km from Capital Colombo. The National Zoo in Sri lanka is one of the finest and largest in Asia. It may not be the best but is being developed to modern standards. Well laid out gardens give the visitor an opportunity to relax forget the busy schedules back at home or at the office and to get away from the polluted and noisy atmosphere.

 
Leopard                                                                     Deer Cage

Dehiwala zoo, its gardens , now 24 acres in extent are best experiences early morning as soon as the zoo opens. The animals about 350 species are naturally arose active in the mornings going through feeding and cleaning rituals. It is cooler and not crowded as yet. Zoo really gets overcrowded during weekends , holidays and remains open 8 am to 6pm.

You will see different species of animals brought from various countries of the world at the Dehiwala zoo, lions, tigers, leopards, hyenas, wolves, cheetahs, bears, rhinos etc. Even huge animals like elephants, giraffes are also kept in the zoo. As there is greater freedom here than in the many zoos around the world, thousands of visitors visit the zoo every year. The sight of colourful storks at the screaming macaws ruffling mix bright places soon make any visitor quite at ease.

Diversity of the zoo is indicated by the presence of an aquarium walk through aviary, reptile louse, butterfly house and many cages and enclosures. There are more than 500 varies of marine life at the aquarium – Min Medura- built especially with the children in mind. Colourful fish brought from different countries of the world could be viewed here inside the zoo and is regarded as the only aquarium of its kind in Asia.

In the reptile house, there is a rare albino cobra and an enormous python. Children are fascinated to watch the little tortoises riding on backs of fierce crocodiles. Creatures like owls and bats in during natural habitant are allowed to be viewed by the visitors. The zoo has an excellent collection of primates, anthropoids chime apes, monkeys and lions.

Aviary up with a variety of beautiful feathered friends is an interesting sight to see . You also can visit the butterfly house that of various hues fluttering here and there.

Large lake at the centre of the zoo is a playing ground of many species of aquatics birds that r own accord. It is really a breeding ground for egrets, pelicans, cormorants etc..

Group of jackals penguins focussed at the zoo is a symbol of its progress. They are the results of an partnership with other zoos. They had originally come from the Tokyo sea life Park. These birds you could find in an air conditioned section but also could be seen in outdoor fields and also in glaze fronted tanks. They are a good sight to see their feeding time. The chick this colony is housing now is really is a result of his zoo had successfully breed these species in captivity.

The elephant circus is one of best attarctions of the National Zoo in Sri Lanka

The crowding moment of a visit to the zoo is the elephant circus which commences at 5:15 pm. With extra shows on Sundays and holidays at 3:15 pm. These huge animals performing all kind of tricks such as standing up on their heads wiggling their backs to music, standing up on their hind legs or hopping on one foot. When the largest elephant starts playing a second legs mouth organ, the other elephants starts start skipping and trooping behind. The most existing moment is when an elephant keeps its foot on the stomach of the mahout and raise him by the head using its mouth.

Museum and a live reef tank have been established at the zoo recently.

Dehiwala zoo has trails with signposts and paths so that a visitor can find their way with ease. It required guides could be arranged at the office but wheelchairs access along the paths is really limited. Snacks and drinks are available through out the day and the restaurant caters to special needs of the visitors.

Finally it should be stated that a trip to the Dehiwala zoo with its well laid gardens and a variety of fanua give the visitor an opportunity to relax and to get away from the noisy atmosphere of the city and to keep in touch with nature.

You'll find a day trip to the zoo and the nearby beach at Mount Lavinia makes for a pleasant outing

Entrance fees:

US $ 2

Video Cameras: US $ 5

Open hours: 8.00 am - 6.00 pm everyday

Timings of special shows:

Chimpanzee feeding time: 3.30 pm daily

Sea lion feeding time: 4.00 pm daily

Elephant show: 5.15 pm daily