Due to poor economic management and the greedy, short-sighted ruling party and selfish top government officials, everything that should have happened to Sri Lanka is happening. At present, even animals kept in zoos in Sri Lanka are unable to be fed. Following is the full text of the BBC report.
Excerpt from BBC News.
In the face of the current economic crisis in Sri Lanka, not only the people but also the animals in the zoos are facing severe food shortages. How tragic is the lack of food for animals that live in cages or confined environments in an urban environment, even though wildlife in the wild can somehow find food?
Due to this, the authorities have already drawn attention to various proposals to provide uninterrupted food to the animals at the Dehiwala, Pinnawala, Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, Ridiyagama and other zoos.
In this context, zoologists are suggesting that zoos should be closed gradually. This inquiry is about that.
1. Is there enough food for the animals at the Dehiwala Zoo?
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A foster care method for caring for animals
The lack of financial resources to provide daily food to the animals at the Dehiwala Zoo and other zoos is exacerbated. Therefore, the Minister of Agriculture, Wildlife and Wildlife Conservation Mahinda Amaraweera has instructed the officials of the Department of Zoology during a discussion with the officials of the Department of Wildlife to expedite the development of a supportive system of animal care institutions with the support of the people who are interested in animals.
According to zoo officials, animals in zoos are facing severe food shortages due to declining foreign tourist arrivals, lower tourist arrivals due to fuel shortages and rising food prices.
How much is the financial deficit?
The Department of Zoology is also responsible for caring for elephants that are subject to litigation.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Wildlife and Wildlife Conservation states that it costs Rs. 45 million a year to take care of these animals.
Due to this, the amount allocated by the government budget has come to an end, officials said.
The suppliers of food to the zoos have to pay Rs. 59 million in arrears and the Department of Zoos says that at least Rs. 120 million is needed for the coming year with the necessary financial provisions.
Taking these factors into consideration, the Minister of Wildlife has decided to take steps in consultation with the Treasury to provide the relevant financial allocations. The Minister said that the current economic crisis has severely affected people as well as animals and the government will take all necessary steps to take care of these animals.
According to the police, the supply of food to the horses in the custody of the cavalry of the Police Department has also become a problem due to the prevailing situation. A spokesman told the BBC Sinhala Service that the police have about 40 horses and that they are awarded a tender to feed them annually and that payments are made according to the manner in which the food is supplied.
Police say the horses, which were imported from different countries, could not be given any other local food other than the food accustomed to in those countries.
However, the police say that the food of the official dogs has not been disrupted due to the prevailing situation. This is because the dogs become accustomed to local foods after a young age.
Exotic animals to sanctuaries
The time has come to consider whether it is right to keep animals in captivity, said Panchali Panapitiya, executive director of RARE, Zoologist Panchali Panapitiya.
“The first thing we need to look at now is if the zoo has enough money for it, we need to raise money from the public and feed them. It’s time to think about whether it’s right or wrong to keep animals like this.”
“The problem of lack of money will not be solved in two days. It may take years for the country to recover from the economic abyss. People cannot come to the zoo to spend money. Foreigners do not go to the zoo in Dehiwala. That’s my opinion, “she said.
“There are sanctuaries abroad to give freedom to animals. They are sanctuaries run by charities, not zoos. We should try to give them imported animals. There are imported animals like giraffes and zebras. Should try to send. “
“A lot of animals are bred in the zoo. There are about 60 donkeys and so are the lions. Pinnawala is an orphanage. But today it has become a breeding center. There are 76 elephants breeding there. If there are animals that can be sent, they should be trained and sent. We should go for such a program, “Panchali Panapitiya suggested.
“It would be better if we build an elephant sanctuary in Ridiyagama. Elephants can live freely and live according to their natural habits. The zoo in Pinnawala and the zoo in Dehiwala should be closed down. This is not a situation that can be recovered in two days,” she added.
“Make a policy decision”
Dr. Jagath Gunawardena, a senior environmental activist and lawyer in the country, said that action should be taken to maintain zoos.
“The first objective of the zoo is conservation, the second objective is research and the third objective is education. He stressed.
Dr. Jagath Gunawardena points out, “Ideology, the scientific and the technical side, are two things. He points out that a policy decision should be taken to use a certain percentage of the revenue received by the Department of Zoology for the development of the relevant institutions.
“The revenue from the zoo goes to the treasury. If the money is returned, the zoo can be better developed. The money will actually be used for government expenditure rather than the development of this institution. It goes to the Department of Wildlife, the Department of Zoology, the Department of Zoology. It’s a problem for all three departments. “
“Revenue from tourists is used to cover government expenditure rather than the development of those institutions. There should be a government policy on this. A certain percentage of this revenue should be allocated to those institutions for welfare.” Dr. Gunawardena emphasized.
He further pointed out, “The cost of maintaining animal welfare and livelihoods in zoos is high. The Ministry cannot escape by issuing press releases stating that it has problems. The Ministry should answer the question directly. If there is a problem without money, it belongs to the Department of National Zoos, Dehiwala.” The Cabinet should take a policy decision to direct the total revenue from the three zoos in Pinnawala and Ridiyagama to the welfare of the department. “
‘Department of Zoology is an Animal University’
Anoma Priyadarshani, Director (Operations) of the National Zoological Gardens, told BBC Sinhala: “One big task at the zoo is to conserve endangered and endemic animals. In addition, there are endangered species, exotic species, endangered species, endemic fish, butterflies, and meerkats. We have bred them and sometimes released them into the wild. “
She pointed out, “There are exotic animals in the world that have become extinct. Some animals have become extinct in the wild. Zoos have stopped that kind of extinction. There are such exotic animals in the Dehiwala Zoo too.
For example, there is the wild horse, the Arabian orex, and so on. Animals that once became extinct in the wild. The black rhinoceros is one of the rarest endangered species in the world. We have bred that animal here as well. “
“We have a fish called Bandula Pethiya, which is confined to a very small environment. He could be in danger with pesticides in the paddy fields. We bring their animals to our zoo. We call it an insurance population, ”she said.
“The main function of each zoo is education. Through education, people are directed to the conservation of these animals. We can say that the Department of Zoology is a university of animals.” She insisted.
“We’ve given research opportunities to kids, university kids, contributing animals, as well as exhibiting animals for fun. The role here is enormous. If we talk about its value without looking, we can understand the need for a zoo. ” She added.
