New attractions at zoo soon

Chamikara Weerasinghe

Arrangements have been made to bring 12 penguins from Japan and two pairs of lion cubs from China and Armenia to be exhibited at the National Zoological Gardens, Dehiwala, Director Duminda Jayalath said.

Jayalath said negotiations are under way with the Zoological Gardens in Japan, China and Armenia.

Some animals would be sent to the new zoo being built at Pinnawala in an area of 53 acres, he said.

"Animals will not be purchased. They will be obtained by way of an animal exchange that takes place between the countries," he said.

Meanwhile, the National Zoological Gardens has come under fire by various groups and individuals for neglecting its duty to animals.

Two lions and meerkats have died at Dehiwala Zoological Gardens this year.

Admitting the incidents, Jayalath said several animals including two lions, two meerkats, one tapir, one baby pygmy hippo and a riverine hippo died at the Zoological Garden, Dehiwala due to old age and 'not' due to negligence.

Referring to the deaths of two lions at the Dehiwala Zoological Gardens, he said these lions have lived at the zoo for 22 years. The average life span of a lion is between 15 to 22 years, he said.

He dismissed that the animals have died due to negligence of the authorities.