A US Zoo announces groundbreaking of research station in Sri Lanka

The Memphis Zoo in Tennessee, USA has announced the creation of a research station in the island nation of Sri Lanka, the Fox13 news agency reported.

Teams at both the Memphis Zoo and Tropical Ecosystem Research Network (TERN) in Sri Lanka worked together on protecting species in their natural habitats, which culminated in the zoo’s establishment of a permanent Conservation, Awareness, Research, and Education (CARE) Center and Research Station in Sri Lanka.  Memphis Zoo’s goal is to have the research station operational by October of 2024, with a formal opening planned for November. The station will provide a base for research, conservation efforts, and serve as a resource for local universities and international researchers. Future efforts include raising additional funding for furnishing the station and installing solar panels.   

Sri Lanka is an island nation just off the southeast coast of India; though roughly about the size of West Virginia. Sri Lanka has a population closer to that of Texas, with over 20 million people living on the island. 

It is highly biodiverse due to both its tropical climate and mountainous terrain, though deforestation and land conversion are threatening this unique ecosystem.   

Memphis Zoo visitors can support the project through donations and by learning about the biodiversity and conservation efforts in Sri Lanka.