Dehiwala Zoo, in other names Colombo zoo is a paradise of animals. Places like Dehiwala zoo attract thousands of travelers to the zoo. Most of the time the zoo gets crowded with many local and foreign travelers. Yet it is a home to the animals and birds it provides animal conservation, education, and welfare services. The National Zoological Gardens of Sri Lanka is another name for the zoo. Dehiwala zoo was founded by John Harnesberg. Even though he could export animals to the animal dealers in Europe. But the government took it into their control in 1936. The zoo has an entitled special vision, "To create one of the world’s outstanding zoological institutions, that is a centre of the excellence for conservation, research and education" and mission is "Resourceful conservation of animals by means of a learning, achieved through the exhibition of species which were adopted with loving care".
Dehiwala Zoo is expecting to expand the animal population with the animal exchange programs with other countries. The authorities are active to conserve endangered species and look after them. The zoo has an annual income around Rs.40 million.
You can attend to the elephant show performed daily. Another show is the Sea lion show. Probably it is a quite funny show. Visitors can refer to the time tables and entertain themselves by participating them. The butterfly garden located in the middle of the Dehiwala zoo is small but consists a vast collection of butterflies (around 30 species). The garden is beautified with trees, bushes and streams. The inner temperature is controlled by an artificial mist. Every day the zoo is open from 8.30 a.m to 6.00 p.m. Elephant’s show starts at 4.30 p.m everyday.
A massive collection of 100 species of mammals, 110 species of birds and 35 species of reptiles are included. An Aquarium for fish, butterfly garden, reptile house is situated at the same place. Especially Zebras, Mouse deer, Spider monkey, jackals are found in the Dehiwala Zoo. Penguins are being conserved under an artificial climate made at the dehiwala zoo. Both dangerous and non-dangerous reptiles are also conserved here, Sri Lankan Jungle fowl, Parakeet, and Mute swan are just a few of the attractions in the bird's aviary. It is a great opportunity to walk along the roads to the houses of these animals and explore their lives. Proudly roaring lions, Tigers and giant elephants have aggrandized the Dehiwala zoo. Therefore it a great place for the travelers to enjoy freely.