News
Leopards and elephants take centre stage
View(s):Animal lovers will be able to visit the country’s first open air zoological gardens in Pinnawala free of charge until April 30.
The 44 acre Open Zoo, that has been built at a cost of Rs. 850 million, was opened on Friday April, 17 by Minister of Tourism and Sports Navin Dissanayake.
The Open Air Zoo is adjacent to the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage and has two zones- a “Sri Lankan” zone that houses native animals and a “World” zone that houses non-native animals.
The Leopard viewing area is the largest part of the Open Zoo and among the native animals are the Sri Lanka Leopard, Sambar and Asian elephant. It also houses several species of endemic birds.
The National Zoological Gardens said that the Open Zoo has been constructed in line with international standards.
The Open Zoo commenced construction in 2000, and after several lapses, construction began again in 2008.
 |  |
 |  |