News
Elephant dance cancellation allegedly due to TB drives visitors from the Zoo
Workers at the Dehiwala Zoological Gardens are up in arms over the cancellation of the age-old elephant dance, following allegations that there were covert moves to close down the Gardens to make way for a VIP’s luxury residence.
M.D. Sarath
The traditional jumbo dance at the Zoo has been put on hold for the past several days, after a veterinary report suggested that the elephants had contracted tuberculosis (TB), and feared it could spread to the many thousands of visitors who converge on the complex on a daily basis.
However, the move has infuriated the Zoo employees who claim that the elephants are in perfect health with no signs of the disease, and the veterinary reports covertly leaked to sections of the media was loaded with questionable intent to scare away visitors.
Many employees fear there are moves to relocate the 90-year-old Zoo to the deep south, to make room for a mansion-style residence on the sprawling 22-acre complex. So much so is the concern that has gripped the Zoo, that hundreds of workers launched a lunch-time street protest on Friday, in a bid to drive home their message to the relevant authorities, and to bring about awareness among the general public on the developments within the Gardens.
M.D. Sarath- a trade unionist at the zoo and spokesman for the workers, told the Sunday Times, since the TB theory was circulated, there has been a sharp drop in visitors, with attendance worsening by the day.
“Look at this Friday. On this particular day, apart from other visitors, children from at least 200 pre-schools visit the Zoo. However, on Friday this week, there was zero attendance from this sector, which endorses the fear psychosis that has been spread by this veterinary report,” he said.
He argued that 10 mahouts closely associated with the elephants in their day-to-day living, such as bathing, cleaning, feeding, etc., underwent medical tests at the Welisara Chest Hospital, and were all given a clean bill of health.
“It is these persons who are most vulnerable to contract the disease, owing to their close relations with the mammals, and now it is proven that it is not the case.”
Furthermore, some of the mahouts have been employed for nearly three decades, and they will be the first to know if there are signs of any sickness,” Mr. Sarath added.
Zoo Director Anura De Silva said ‘TB among the elephants’, theory is yet to be confirmed, despite thorough testing of the mammals, adding that details on the issue had been released to sections of the media leading to a scare among prospective visitors to the Gardens.
He said the clean medical bill given to the mahouts by the Welisara Chest Hospital was encouraging, as it confirms that the elephants were cleared of having TB.
“However, precautions will have to be taken for the time being, and towards this the elephant show has been temporarily put on hold, until the vets come up with the all clear. This is only a suspension of the elephant show, not a cancellation as some fear,” he said.
He also dismissed allegations that there were covert moves to close the Zoo to make way for a mansion complex.“This is not true. However we are currently studying a strategic plan to convert the place into a city zoo with lesser exhibits, in order to provide more space for the visitors.”
“Towards this end, the cages and enclosures will be downsized and some of the animals relocated elsewhere in the country,” he told the Sunday Times.