Special facilities for Dehiwala Zoo by young team
With the increasing trend of resource utilization, there are many
manners in which ecosystems and species are being negatively affected.
Thus, it is the responsibility of mankind to take steps to ensure the
survival of all living beings; Hence, as the undergraduates of the
Department of Business Administration of the University of Sri
Jayewardenepura, we believe that it is our responsibility to contribute
positively towards this phenomenon.
In order to undertake a project, under the guidance and supervision
of our lecturer Janaka Fernando, we decided to join hands with the
National Zoological Garden of Sri Lanka, with consideration to the high
levels of interest currently shown by the general public.
The National Zoological Gardens, generally known as the 'Zoo', is
beautifully landscaped in 23 acres which is situated 11 km from the Fort
- Colombo. The zoo was started as a menagerie in the late nineteen
twenties by John Hagenbeck, a member of the famous show-business family
from Hamburg, Germany. The Zoo was officially recognized only in July
1936 upon the acquisition by the Government.
The National Zoological Gardens of Sri Lanka has a fine collection of
animals, birds, reptiles and fish from all over the world. The aquarium
is the only one of its kind in Asia and displays over 500 varieties of
aquatic life. There is daily elephant performance at the 'Ali Ranga
Peeta' from 16.30-17.00 hrs. which attracts visitors from different
parts of the world. Also a walk through the Aviary, Reptilian and the
Butterfly Park provide a unique experience to the visitors. Moreover,
the National Zoological Gardens conducts special educational programs
for schools which includes student guidance services, mobile exhibition
units and facilitates for research activities in order to enhance the
knowledge and awareness among the general public.
The 'animal hospital' provides primary medical care for over 2500
animals of 350 different species at the Zoological Gardens. Besides
providing veterinary care for the animals, it gets involved in both
basic and clinical research related to zoological animals; it also
functions as a teaching hospital for the veterinary students at the
University of Peradeniya.
A special and a separate unit established under the supervision of a
veterinary surgeon to take care of the orphaned, captive as well as wild
neonatal and juveniles, is known as the 'animal nursery'. It has never
been an easy task to bring up these infant animals once they have been
neglected or refused by the parent animals due to various different
reasons.
Therefore, by identifying the importance of this silent but the
invaluable service provided by the Nursery, as responsible citizens of
the country we made a contribution towards improving the infrastructure
of the Nursery, by providing special room heating facilities which had
been a necessity for more than a decade. Furthermore, we have provided
our assistance in order to equip the nursery with many other accessories
which would further enhance the service rendered by it.
'Pets corner', one of the popular attractions within the premises
contributes in many ways to bring awareness among general public. This
includes educating the public and constructing a sound relationship
through interaction and involvement, which indeed assist in developing a
responsible community with lateral thinking and positive attitudes.
Recognizing this valuable service provided by the Young Zoologists of
the Pets Corner who provide their voluntary services in taking care of
animals, educating the public and through interaction and involvement of
the visitors; we have taken initial steps to design and provide them, a
uniform (T-shirt) and we believe that it would give them a better
identity and much deserved recognition.
We would like to make use of this opportunity to express our sincere
appreciation and gratitude to the Acting Director of the National
Zoological Garden Ananda Loku Ranamuka and to the Deputy Director of the
National Zoological Garden Y. D. S. S. Malsinghe for the kind
understanding and co-operation extended to us to make this project a
success.
We wish to express our heartfelt gratitude to veterinary surgeons
Drs. Ganga Wijesinghe and Samanthi Mendis and the staff of the Animal
Hospital for the constant guidance and co-operation extended throughout
the process, despite of their busy schedules.
Also we wish to express our special thanks to the members of the YZA
(Young Zoologists Association of Sri Lanka) for the co-operation
extended.
We would also like to express our gratitude to our sponsors for
holding hands with us to make this project a great success. Dinusha
Wijayasuriya
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