Zoos to be re-opened for general public

The National Zoological Gardens have decided to reopen the Dehiwela Zoological Garden and the Safari Park in Hambantota.

The Director General of Zoo Ishini Wickremesinghe issued a press release and informed that they are planning to re-open the Dehiwala Zoo and the Ridiyagama Safari Park situated in Hambantota to the public.

She said Pinnawala elephant orphanage and zoo have already been opened to the public from July 17, 2021 and are open from 9 am to 5 pm.

The Dehiwala Zoo and Ridiyagama Safari Park are scheduled to be opened from Monday, July 26, 2021. The zoo and the safari park would be open on a daily basis between 8.30 am and 5.30 pm.

Meanwhile, sources at the zoological garden said that the lioness which was reported Covid-positive has gained a full recovery while the male lion ‘Thor’ which was also Covid-positive tested negative.

However, ‘Thor’, the elderly male lion, had developed a secondary infection while it was Covid-positive, therefore it is currently subjected to further medical treatment.