Friends, We are disheartened by the lack of progress at the Dehiwala Zoo. Despite promises made by the authorities, the changes undertaken to improve the conditions at the Zoo have been minimal. While we note that the cages are now cleaner and some upgrades have been made to the cages themselves, we are sad to report the following: - The issue of the small and/or cramped conditions in which many animals are kept, such as the concrete pits for the big cats, has not been addressed. - The elephants are still kept chained up all day and have not been relocated to an open sanctuary as promised. - Ankuses are still being used on the elephants by the mahouts. - The elephants are still made to perform in the circus act, which is unfortunately the only form of exercise that they are ever permitted. - The over-crowding in some cages (such as those of the eagles and owls) needs to be addressed immediately. - Some animals, such as the African elephant, are suffering from severe depression due to being kept in isolation and/or in conditions that are extremely unnatural for them, and need to be relocated to proper sanctuaries. In order to continue the pressure on the authorities, we kindly ask you to help in the following ways: 1. Write to or call the Zoo addressing your complaint to Acting Director Ms. Renuka Bandaranayake and demanding that - the Zoo relocate to sanctuaries the mammals and birds that are in cramped or overcrowded cages, are kept in isolation, or are kept tied up; - that the Zoo immediately halt “education programs” such as the circus acts that promote cruelty to animals; - that no new animals are brought to the Zoo until the concerns regarding the welfare of existing animals are addressed. National Zoological Gardens of Sri Lanka Anagarika Dharmapala Mawatha, Dehiwala, Sri Lanka +94(0)718065184 zoosl@slt.lk 2. Give the Dehiwala Zoo a 1-star rating on Tripadvisor and leave comments highlighting the state of the Zoo as outdated, inadequate and unacceptable: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g293962-d554028-Reviews-Dehiwala_Zoo-Colombo_Western_Province.html 3. Post your comments on this petition page addressed to the Minister of Sustainable Development and Wildlife, Hon. Gamini Jayawickrama Perera, appealing for the closure of the Dehiwala Zoo and the conversion of the premises to an alternate public amenity that does not perpetuate cruelty to animals. Comments will be collected and handed over to the Minister of Sustainable Development and Wildlife. Thank you for your time and compassion! [The attached photo taken in January 2016 shows an elephant with an eye problem being made to perform in the circus act.]