Ridiyagama Safari Park (Sinhala: රිදියගම සෆාරි උද්යානය) is a safari park in Ridiyagama in Hambantota District, Sri Lanka. Maintained by the Department of National Zoological Gardens, it is the first safari-type park established in the country.
History
The construction of the park was started in December 2008 under the direction of the National Zoological Department. The first stage of the Safari was opened to the general public on 28 March 2016 (Annual Performance Report, 2021).
The Park
The park is 500 acres in extent and consists of 13 zones including the African lion zone (35 acres), the Asian elephant zone (54 acres), the Bengali tiger zone, the pet feeding zone, the bird park and the migratory bird care centre, the zone for herbivores (80 acres) and the animal conservation breeding centre. A mini-safari for small birds, small carnivores, primates and small herbivores and a butterfly garden has also been established.
Around 22 species of animals including African lions, zebras, giraffes, Bactrian camels, Arabian oryx, lechwe, Indian blue bulls, African cape buffaloes and large birds including ostriches are found in the park.
Administrative buildings, an animal hospital, and other visitor facilities such as shopping malls, and parking lots are available within the park premises. As an ex-situ conservation centre, the park ensures the continued survival of species through the conservation of threatened species, breeding and conservation education.
References
1) Annual Performance Report, 2021. Department of National Zoological Gardens Ministry of Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation. p.17.