A dream park

The Ahungalle private zoo, centre of a huge controversy some years ago, was shut down after a tragic incident in 1997 when a little boy was killed by a lion. Three years later, its chairman Mazahim Mohamed has launched a new venture.

Built on 2 1/2 acres of land, the Ahungalle Dream Park, as Mohamed's new brainchild is called, was opened in April this year by Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake. It houses 35 different species of exotic birds which Mohamed has brought from countries such as Australia, America, China, Indonesia and South Africa. Star attractions include macaws, parakeets, cockatoos and pelicans. There are also several species of fish on display.