Dehiwala Zoo
The Origin of Dehiwala Zoo
The founder of the Dehiwala National Zoological Gardens is considered to be Mr. John Hagenbeck, who descended from a lineage of animal traders in Germany. His arrival in Ceylon is recorded around 1885. Initially, he kept wild elephants captured from forests in an area called Model Farm in Modara until they were shipped to Germany.
However, due to lack of space in Model Farm, Modara he purchased a land in extent of about 5 acres around 1905 in the location where the current zoo is situated. Consequently, the wild elephants and other animal species kept at the Modara animal yard were relocated to Dehiwala. In addition to wild elephants, other animal species were also kept at the Dehiwala yard.
Early Public Access and Expansion
During the First World War, Mr. John Hagenbeck was arrested on charges of supporting the Nazis. Consequently, he handed over the management of the Dehiwala Zoo to his friends. He returned to Sri Lanka in 1925 and resumed his work related to animal exportation. During this time, the public began visiting the animal yard in Dehiwala to see the animals held there until they were exported.
Meanwhile, due to the lack of sufficient space for the animals living in the yard, an additional 6 acres of land adjacent to the existing premises were purchased. Consequently, the animal yard was expanded to cover a total area of 11 acres.
As people from various regions began visiting daily to see the wild elephants and other animals living in the yard, a fee of 10 cents per visitor was charged. In 1926, the business was formally operated under the name “Ceylon Zoological Gardens Company.”
Government Administration and Land Expansion
As Major Aubrey Weinman also left for military service and subsequently became a prisoner of war in Malaysia, the British government handed over the guardianship of the zoo to Mr. A.E. Gunasinghe, who was the Agent of the British Government in charge of the Western Province. Later, Mr. F.E. Gunasinghe, to whom the guardianship was entrusted, renamed the premises as the “Ceylon Zoological Gardens.” He also acquired another 12 acres of adjacent land to the expanding the Ceylon Zoological Gardens to a total extent of 23 acres.
Post-Independence Development
After gaining independence on 4th of February 1948, the Government of Ceylon appointed Major Aubrey Weinman as the first Director of the Ceylon Zoological Gardens. During this period, several special features were introduced, including wildlife exchange programs with various countries, elephant performances (1947), chimpanzee acts and rides for visitors on elephants, ponies and tortoises.
Establishment of the Department of National Zoological Gardens
The second Director was Mr. Leen de Alwis and the institution was officially declared as the Department of National Zoological Gardens in 1962. He introduced the concept of “Open Zoo Enclosures” and established several key attractions: a Bird Paradise (1966), an Aquarium (1973), a Butterfly Park (1981) and a Reptile and Amphibian Park (1983). Additionally, Sea Lion performances were commenced in 1973. During the 1970s, the National Zoo was transformed into the finest zoological garden in South Asia.
At present, Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, Pinnawala Zoo, Ridiyagama Safari Park, Gonapola Farm and the Kahapola Eco Garden are under the purview of the Department of National Zoological Gardens in addition to the Dehiwala Zoo.
At present, Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, Pinnawala Zoo, Ridiyagama Safari Park, Gonapola Farm and the Kahapola Eco Garden are under the purview of the Department of National Zoological Gardens in addition to the Dehiwala Zoo.
Mammals
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Birds
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Reptiles
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Fish & Marine
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Ticket Prices
| Local Children (Under 12) | Rs. 118.00 |
| Local Adults (Over 12) | Rs. 295.00 |
| School Children (Group of 20+) | Rs. 59.00 |
| Foreign Children | USD 8.85 |
| Foreign Adults | USD 17.70 |
| Foreign Children (SAARC) | USD 5.90 |
| Foreign Adults (SAARC) | USD 11.80 |
Special Programmes
Special Sea Lion Performance - 9.00 a.m.
Rs. 5900/-
Special encounter of Elephant Friends - 10.00 a.m.
Rs.7080/-
Department of National
Zoological Gardens
120 Anagarika Dharmapala Mawatha,
Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia Sri Lanka
Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia Sri Lanka
Mon – Sun: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
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