Pinnawala Open Zoo

Pinnawala Open Zoo is a significant zoological garden located in Pinnawala, Sri Lanka, notable for being the country's first open-air zoo. It was officially opened to the public on April 17, 2015, with an initial period of free admission for visitors. The zoo's establishment was driven by the need to provide a more suitable and controlled environment for Sri Lanka's endemic and native animal species, which were facing challenges in being adequately housed at the existing Dehiwala Zoo due to its extensive collection.

History and Development

The concept for Pinnawala Open Zoo first emerged around the year 2000 during the presidency of Chandrika Kumaratunga. However, construction was halted in 2002 due to governmental disputes. The project was officially revived and construction resumed in 2008 under the administration of former President Mahinda Rajapakse. The zoo was inaugurated in 2015 with an expenditure of 862 million Sri Lankan Rupees. Its location was chosen to be in proximity to the well-known Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage.

Zoo Layout and Animals

The zoo is designed with an internal road network and is divided into distinct zones and enclosures. While some areas like the monkey island, bird aviary, amphibian area, and a second pet area were still under construction at the time of its opening, the main enclosures include a pet area, swan pond, deer enclosure, crocodile enclosure, leopard enclosure, bear enclosure, and a butterfly garden. The zoo is segmented into two primary sections: the Sri Lankan zone, dedicated to native fauna, and the World zone, showcasing international species. Among the native animals housed at Pinnawala Open Zoo are chital, lions, Sri Lankan leopards, purple-faced leaf monkeys, wild boars, sambar deer, Asian elephants, and various endemic bird species. The leopard watching area is recognized as the largest enclosure within the zoo.