News
Zoo’s 153-year-old tortoise among those selected for oil anointing
View(s):The oldest member at the Dehiwala National Zoological gardens, the giant tortoise, who is around 153 years, will be among the animals selected for the traditional New Year oil anointing ceremony on April 16, at 9.04 a.m.
Visitors to the Dehiwala National Zoological gardens will be able able to witness the event as always.
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Anoma Priyadharshini, Director (Operations) of the Zoo said elephants, zebra, hippopotamus, the lion cub Simba, deer and some birds are among others selected for the ritual.
She said that the tortoise, who weighs over 400 kg, is a key attraction at the zoo. The tortoise who used to roam the garden premises of the National Museum, was gifted to the zoo in 1930.
Pix and text by Rekha Tharangani Fonseka.
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