A blue and yellow Macaw, worth over Rs. 500,000, has been reported stolen from the National Zoological Gardens in Dehiwala.
According to media reports, the Dehiwala Police states that the staff in charge of the bird cage had noticed that the wire mesh of the cage had been cut, after which they had informed the zoo authorities.
Following this, the security officials of the zoo had filed a complaint with the Dehiwala Police on the incident that had occurred on 05 June.
The Police state that around 29 other birds had been inside the cage along with the stolen Macaw. They further state that footage from a CCTV camera installed at a store near the zoo has captured the suspect with the stolen bird.
It is reported that previously, too, a yellow and blue Macaw from the same bird cage was reported stolen in August 2021, but was later found at a house in Ratmalana.
Meanwhile, Director General of the Dehiwala Zoo, Dr Chandana Rajapaksa, says he expects to make a request from the authorities to obtain the services of the Civil Security Force for the protection of the animals at the zoo.
Pointing out the several incidents of animals being stolen from the zoo, he highlighted the need to deploy sufficient security officials to address the matter. (Newswire)