• The  National Zoological Gardens has the best veterinary experts

By Chaturanga Samarawickrama  

The animal death rate in local zoos has been recorded  at one per cent compared to the animal deaths in zoos in other countries,  National Zoological Gardens Department Director-General Shermila  Rajapaksha said.   

She told the Daily Mirror when inquired about the recent animal death issues raised by several trade unions and activists.  
“We have around 3,485 animals in our zoos managed by the  National Zoological Gardens, and 38 of them died during the past six  months.”It is one per cent of the total, whereas animal birth is 2%.  “The world’s accepted average animal deaths in a zoo stands at 5%,” she  said.  
Our animal deaths were recorded at a lower rate because the  National Zoological Gardens has the best veterinary experts, Ms.  Rajapaksha said.  

Meanwhile, 93 new births were reported, and it was recorded as 2%. Last year, there were 85 breedings done at the local zoos.  

There were 31, 40, and 22 births of new mammals, birds, and reptiles reported during the past six months, respectively.  

Two Nile hippopotamus, one Arabian oryx, one Lechwe, two  Langer hang monkeys, eight spotted deer, eight Sambars, one donkey, six  rabbits, and two Japanese deer were reported under the Mammal births  category.  
Four blue yellow macaws, twelve African love birds, two  Amazon parrots, five diamond doves, two lorikeets, twelve red-breasted  parakeets and three Budgerigar births were recorded under the bird  category.   
Twenty-two Russel viper births were reported under the reptile category.   

Meanwhile, 38 animal deaths were reported, including 18 mammals, 17 birds, and three reptiles during the past six months.  

Under the Mammals category, three Zebras, two-spotted deer,  two Japanese deer, one Arabian Oryx, one Lechwe, one mouse deer, one  pygmy hippo, and one Scimitar horned Oryx died. Meanwhile, one orangutan  died due to infection of tuberculosis, two wild cats died due to worm  infection, and three rabbits died due to acute pneumonia due to heavy  rains under the above category.  

One jungle fowl, ten budgerigars, three pigeons, two parrots, and one halmahara died under the birds category.   
One green pit viper, one cat snake, and one Russell’s viper had perished in the reptile category.