* Seen above and on the right are some of the animals at the zoo. * The newly introduced recycling bins at the zoo are seen on the left.

Variety

Change comes to the zoo

- Asha SENEVIRATHNA

Today we conclude our visit to the Dehiwala Zoological Gardens. Our expedition gets under way at the zoo's nursery.

One of the most special places in the zoo is the nursery. It is the place where the animals are trained to give special performances. The elephants that we enjoy watching, the sea lion rolling the ball, the talking birds are all proud products of this place. Like the hospital staff and zoo-keepers, the nursery staffers also work diligently.

Animal deaths

Over the past few months, the zoo has reported a few sudden animal deaths. Later, it was revealed that some of them died of natural causes and from diseases. Very recently, a baby giraffe was found dead and the reason was unexpected and shocking! The baby who had slipped and fallen had got mud stuck in its nostrils. Though the doctors tried hard, they couldn't save the animal's life. Another unfortunate incident was that of the female hippopotamus who died very recently while delivering her baby. The baby also perished in the incident.

However, the most unfortunate part of all this is that some animals had been found death with polythene in their abdomens which would have been given to them by careless and irresponsible visitors. A deer had polythene in its digestive system; coins were found inside a dead sea lion. Nobody else but spectators could be responsible for things of this nature. Although people have been cautioned right from the entrance 'Not to feed animals', most of them seem to forget these instructions as the walk through the zoo. This is rather unfortunate as it greatly harms these innocent animals.

New faces

The zoo is still undergoing vast changes and more new faces are expected to make an appearance. Zoo authorities are already having discussions with other foreign zoos and animal suppliers in this regard. Also, the zoo has an animal exchange programme with other zoos which give foreigners a chance to see our animals and to popularise their names in those countries.

Adopting to change has become the principle of the zoo. The changing conditions of the world have brought in winds of change at the zoo, resulting in the zoo also changing day by day. Changes are being witnessed at the zoo and these changes are being felt and noticed by all who visit this place.

People may visit the zoo with many different objectives, but most come to enjoy themselves. It is the duty of all who visit the zoo to support the authorities to maintain the place well, and not to disturb the animals.Some actions of visitors have disturbed and harmed the animals as well troubling the authorities. The zoo is for the public and therefore the public has a duty to support this place for the future and for the enjoyment of future generations.