The National Zoological Gardens in Dehiwala will celebrate its 90th anniversary on July 3, 2026, with a series of special programs highlighting conservation, education, and public engagement.

Among the highlights will be the announcement of names for two lion cubs born at the zoo, which have recently captured the affection of animal lovers. Prizes will be awarded to those whose name proposals are selected. Visitors will also be given the opportunity to see the cubs with their mother at the Lion Island.

In addition, the zoo will unveil its Nile hippo calf to the public for the first time. A naming competition for the calf has been reserved for schoolchildren under 18, encouraging young animal enthusiasts to participate.

The Department of National Zoological Gardens has invited both local and foreign visitors to join the celebrations and experience these new encounters.

Established on July 3, 1936, the Dehiwala Zoo has journeyed for 90 years as a living heritage of conservation in Sri Lanka. Spread across 23 acres, it is home to a wide variety of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and aquatic species, bringing global wildlife diversity closer to the public.

Beyond entertainment, the zoo has become a national center for animal welfare, scientific research, conservation breeding, and environmental education, offering unique experiences through its aquarium, butterfly garden, and educational exhibits. (Newswire)

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Visitors have only until Sunday (21) to enjoy the special opportunity to view the two lion cubs born at the Dehiwala Zoological Gardens at close range, the Department of National Zoological Gardens announced.

The department said thousands of visitors have flocked to the zoo in recent weeks to see the playful cubs and take part in the unique up-close viewing experience.

However, the special arrangement will come to an end from tomorrow.

The department encouraged animal lovers and families wishing to see the lion cubs up close to visit the zoo before the special viewing opportunity concludes this weekend. (Newswire)

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The Dehiwala Zoological Gardens has called on the public to suggest names for two lion cubs at the zoo.

According to Veterinarian Deepika Sonnadara, attached to the Zoo, the public visiting the zoo will be provided with an opportunity to suggest names for the two cubs. 

The names could be dropped into a box placed at the zoo for this purpose, after which the names will be decided based on a lottery draw.

Born on 24 December 2025 to a lion and a lioness at the Dehiwala Zoo, the cubs are seven and a half months old. 

The young cubs are a male and a female, yet to be named. (Newswire)

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The baby yellow anaconda reported missing from the Dehiwala National Zoo has been found.

The discovery was made inside a metal box in the reptile section, about 24 hours after the reptile keeper responsible for the enclosure was suspended following the disappearance.

Earlier, on September 15, 2025, six snakes belonging to four species, including a yellow anaconda illegally brought into the country by a woman, were seized by officials at the Katunayake Airport and handed over to the Dehiwala National Zoo for safekeeping. 

The snakes were placed in quarantine at the reptile section. Among them was Sri Lanka’s only baby yellow anaconda, about one year old and measuring between 1.5 and 2 feet in length, which was reported missing on December 7, with a complaint lodged at the Dehiwala Police.

The reptile keeper in charge had stated that the baby snake escaped because the door of its enclosure had not been properly closed due to negligence. Zoo staff conducted searches over several days but failed to locate the missing anaconda.

Subsequently, preliminary investigations were carried out against the reptile keeper, and on Tuesday (16), he was suspended from duty.

Following the suspension, the missing baby yellow anaconda was finally found inside a metal box within the reptile section. (Newswire)

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A man who had stolen 32 foreign bird species from the Dehiwala Zoo has been arrested.

The Mount Lavinia Divisional Crimes Unit arrested the suspect.

He has been identified as a 24-year-old resident of Nedimala, Dehiwala. 

It is reported that the man was employed as a cook. (Newswire)

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The Pakistan women’s cricket team took a joyful detour from the crease to the wild, visiting the iconic Dehiwala Zoo in Colombo. 

The team, currently in Sri Lanka for the ICC Women’s World Cup, swapped cricket gear for moments with Sri Lanka’s vibrant wildlife. 

The cricketers were seen taking photos with pythons, feeding elephants and giraffes, and engaging in a tour of other exotic animals. (Newswire)

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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)

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The Dehiwala Zoological Gardens is to receive several new animals under an animal exchange programme.

Addressing the media, Director General of the National Zoological Department Chandana Rajapaksa said the animals are three zebras, two pairs of giraffes, three anacondas from France, Mandarin ducks and two giant turtles.

He further said Sri Lanka’s National Zoological Department has sent two pairs of toque macaques, a pair of giant squirrels, a pair of hippopotamuses, a pair of fishing cats, a Green Pit Viper (Trimeresurus trigonocephalus), and a Russell’s Viper.

Chandana Rajapaksa said these animals have been dispatched to the relevant countries under the exchange programme, which aims to increase the variety of species at the Dehiwala Zoo. (Newswire)

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The Chief Security Officer of the Dehiwala Zoological Gardens has died after an electricity pole had fallen onto him last afternoon.

According to Daily Mirror, the Dehiwala Police stated a large tree had fallen hitting the electricity pole which in turn had fallen onto the victim.

It was reported that a large Cabovena tree near the animal hospital inside the zoo had got uprooted and hit the pole to which the internal power lines were connected.

The incident occurred while the victim was returning to the Zoo after purchasing his afternoon meal.

The 54-year-old victim who had sustained serious injuries to his head had succumbed to injuries after being admitted to the Colombo South Teaching Hospital in Kalubowila last evening. (NewsWire) 

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