Dehiwala Zoo in Colombo

The diversity of Dehiwala Zoo is extolled by its aquarium, walk-through aviary, reptile house, and butterfly garden. The butterfly garden at the National Zoological Gardens of Sri Lanka at Dehiwala is simply stunning. Strewn with shrubs, trees, creepers, and even some small streams, it emulates the natural habitat for butterflies of all sorts. Dehiwala Zoo in Colombo has a total of thirty species of butterflies in various stages of their life-cycles for educational and research purposes. With landscaped gardens and dense foliage, lawns and beautiful patches of forests harboring several species of rare plants, Dehiwala Zoo is not one to be missed. Brimming with colorful flowers, the zoo has its own network of dimly lit pathways that make it look even more beautiful.

Dehiwala Zoo also has beautifully constructed bridges that arch over to other sections. One of the chief attractions of the National Zoological Gardens of Sri Lanka at Dehiwala is the animal show that it exhibits. There is also a baby chimpanzee show and sea lions show as well. Besides the common zebra, giraffe, hippopotamus, and spotted deer, Dehiwala Zoo in Colombo also house Asian elephants, Oryx, lions, leopards, jaguars, tigers, sloth bears, brown bears, orangutans, baboons, meerkats, lemurs, chimpanzee, and sea lions. The walk-through aviary houses pelicans, hawks, ostrich, eagles, macaws, owls, egrets, cassowary, black swans, white swans, and cormorants.

Dehiwala Zoo also has an interesting collection of reptiles. It houses Green Anacondas, Eastern Green Mambas, Albino Cobras, Pit Vipers, Pythons, Cat Snakes, Kraits, Turtles, and Bearded Lizards. Besides that, there are also muggers, estuarine crocodiles, and dwarf crocodiles. Popular things to do at Dehiwala Zoo in Colombo include elephant rides, pony rides, and boat riding. There are also restaurants, ice-cream shop, and a souvenir shop are all available for tourists to indulge in.