Ridiyagama Safari Park

This week I took a long drive to Ridiyagama Safari Park. I’m sad I did not go on this trip before, at least the animals might have been a bit younger. It is the first ever Safari Park in Sri Lanka, and in 2008, construction work of the park was started under the direction of The National Zoological Department of Sri Lanka. It’s built across 500 acres and it’s been said that there are 22 species. To be honest I did not see much.

The lions and tigers looked like they can take a break, specially with age as they were once at the Dehiwala Zoo.
The space is divided into six zones. The idea of us being in a cage and taking a ride to see them was the best way to see them in their space.

But talking to a few of the workers at the premises, they agreed that food has been a big shortage. The lavish amount of food that they would love to give is not what they are giving, especially with the finances being not so helpful to the organisation.

The elephants were absolutely amazing. The people who were looking after them showed them off to us like their own children. That shows that they have been brought up with a lot of love not chained, not hurt.

I do feel sorry for the lions
and the tigers, they just look like
they can’t be bothered with us
or anything that’s happening in
the world.

The place also looks a bit rundown in terms of the grass. All the landscaping has lost its tidy look. The only way we can promote this place is by visiting it and encouraging more people to go and visit. If this is run well, this can be such an interesting tourist destination.

Our fist visit was to Yala and stayed at Cinnamon Wild Yala and the stay was brilliant, but the sightings at Yala were disappointing. So many wild pigs and unlimited amount of peacocks. I feel like in my home in Piliyandala I see more.

So we drove to Hambantota to see the wild.

Let’s support and let’s visit.