The Dehiwala Zoo was established in 1905 by a German national, Carl Hagenbeck, as a place to keep wild elephants before exporting them. Later, in 1926, it was renamed the “Ceylon Zoological Gardens Company”, and on 3rd July 1936, the company was taken over by the government and declared as the “Department of National Zoological Gardens” in 1962. Currently, the main operational units under the Department are the Dehiwala Zoo, Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, Pinnawala Zoo, and Hambantota Safari Park. Through these facilities, the Department works to achieve its objectives by carrying out animal rehabilitation, conservation, and education programs.
Contact Details
- +94 112 712 751-3
- +94 0112 734 542
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