Safari parks for endemic species

By Dhaneshi Yatawara

Spread across 65,610 square kilometers Sri Lanka is one of the most attractive countries with a rich bio-diversity. Sri Lanka has been declared as one of the world’s 25 different hotspots for biodiversity. Yet we shoulder a heavy responsibility of protecting endemic and the endangered species. Today Sri Lanka is known to have the highest species density in South Asia for flowering plants, amphibians, reptiles and mammals while having the second highest human population density.

The species diversity of Sri Lanka shows 4000 species of flowering plants, 107 species of freshwater fish, 59 species of amphibians, 174 species of reptiles, 435 species of birds, 140 species of mammals and several thousand invertebrates, according to research.

Among fauna and flora of Sri Lanka 41% of fish, 65% amphibians, 52% reptiles, 10% birds, 5% mammals, 80% land snails, all fresh water crabs and 28% of flowering plants are endemic. Sri Lanka’s biodiversity supports its economic development, specially tourism industry. Sri Lanka has some of the best wild life reserves next to the African safari parks where a visitor could see number of wild animals freely roaming in their natural habitats. For example the elephant which can be seen in a considerable numbers in the wild.

This high diversity of the animal kingdom also a valuable gene pool. Conserving the gene pool in its natural habitat is ‘in situ’ conservation. That is conservation outside is known as ‘ex situ’ conservation.

Zoological gardens play a major role in ex-situ conservation.

The Zoological Garden in Dehiwala conserves a large number of endemic and endangered species.

Two safari parks will be set up in Pinnawala and Hambantota as conservation centres for endemic and endangered species. Director, Department of National Zoological Gardens Bashwara Gunaratne said this will not only be restricted to Sri Lankan fauna.

The Zoo will shelter as much as possible animals which are threatened or endangered globally. The leopard enclosure is a vital factor of the park.

“So many tourists come here to see leopards and many spend days in jungles.

“A safari park is the best place to see such animals,” Zoological Gardens Director Gunaratne said.

While caring for 13 leopards at the Dehiwela zoo (including the three female cubs), the Department of Zoological Gardens is launching a long-term plan to conserve endemic and endangered species. “Sri Lanka is well-known across the globe as one of the best places to watch leopards roaming freely,” said Gunarathne. Under the project, two zones will be built at Pinnawala and Hambantota.

“This will be the conservation centre for endemic and endangered species. Building the leopard enclosure is the first step in the drive and we are planning to provide more facilities for sloth bear, African wild animals and Antarctic region animals.

The facility at Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage spreads over 12,267 square meters. The authorities hope to complete the project by April 2012. The architectural and engineering expertise is from the State Engineering Corporation; Rs. 43.9 million will be spent on the project. “It would allow visitors to see leopards freely.

We are constructing two viewing decks which will include restaurants and souvenir shops. One viewing deck will have an underground restaurant which too will give visitors a different view of the leopards,” Gunarathne explained.

Structures built with timber for the leopards to climb along with big trees.

They also propose in the plan to link the two viewing decks with a bridge through the trees giving an better view for the visitor.

“At the moment we have planned to house about five – six leopards. Naturally with one male leopard we can keep several female animals,” he explained. A small tank is also under construction.

The Hambantota safari park is under construction at Ridiyagama which spans 500 acres. Out of this 40 acres will be for the leopard enclosure. The project is estimated to cost Rs. 2,000 million.

There will be education and awareness programs for visitors at the viewing decks. The souvenir shops will also include items to promote conservation. There will be separate monitoring program with CCTV installed. We will not be obstructing the free movement of the animals. “If there is CCTV monitors around the clock we can even let the animals be out in the night,” Dr. Ganga Wijesinghe Veterinarian of the Zoological Gardens said.

Shelters will be built for leopards.