Animals harassed in the name of CHOGM

17 November 2013 04:55 pm - 12 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Animals being held captive at the mini-zoo created in Battaramulla as part of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) pageantry are reportedly being harmed and subjected to stressful conditions that are adverse to their health, animal rights activists charged today, expressing their concern over the set-up.

The mini-zoo is accommodated within the ‘Ape Gama’ grounds – a location created to highlight local culture and heritage as part of the many spectacles lined-up for the entertainment of the CHOGM delegations.

The short-sighted planning carried out during the construction of this pageantry has resulted in adverse impacts for the animals. According to sources who visited the site, the animals had been put on display in small cages and chained, with their movements restricted.

According to Species Conservation Centre Chairman, Pubudu Weeraratne once the animals cramped in craters were brought to the mini-zoo, they had created quite an uproar due to their escape attempts. “As soon as the craters of the spotted deer were opened, they ran away in a huff and the staff had not been able to hold them until they escaped into the Diyawannawa. Eventually, Naval boats had been deployed to retrieve the deer,” he said.

According to him, the animals had also been agitated since they were dispatched at the mini-zoo last Monday, due to the community dogs entering their cages. “Some animals had even been injured. These are situations which the authorities should have foreseen and considered before dispatching the animals at the location,” he added.

Another animal rights activist who wished to remain anonymous told Daily Mirror that the two baby elephants put on display at the mini-zoo were restrained by chains and were even bleeding. “These elephants were being brought up in Ritigala when the authorities uprooted them from their homes and transported them to Pinnawala. From there, they had been dispatched to the mini-zoo. It was clear to see the animals were really agitated and troubled,” the activist said.

Meanwhile, Weeraratne went on to point out that the transportation of animals in this manner was not favorable to their health as it was stressful for them and they could also be subjected to various injuries during the process. “Moreover, the space constraints for these animals in the mini-zoo are also not good for their wellbeing. A similar plan was being carried out during the Gam Udawa programme of the 90s. However, it was halted due to objections from animal rights activists and environmentalists, once it was pointed out that it was harmful for the animals’ wellbeing,” he added.

‘Ape Gama’ and the mini-zoo is situated in a 3.5 acre land located in Battaramulla and some 15 varieties of animals including spotted deer, crocodile species and five bird species had been transported from the Dehiwala zoo to be put on display at the ‘Ape Gama’ mini-zoo. (Lakna Paranamanna)

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Comments - 12

Chugum Sunday, 17 November 2013 04:59 PM

Well the people who did this to the poor animals will get it back come March 2014.

Exhorcist Sunday, 17 November 2013 05:15 PM

Oh no, another allegation on animal life abuse??
Welawa hondha nea wage??

neutral man Sunday, 17 November 2013 05:24 PM

PLZ release them and put david cameron instead..

Senarath Sunday, 17 November 2013 06:27 PM

human rights and now animal rights, will it go to UN/Navi p

silva Monday, 18 November 2013 12:47 AM

Animals suffered for nothing!!

C.K.LankaputhraThe t Monday, 18 November 2013 01:01 AM

Even the animals in Sri Laka have lost their animal rights.

Cobra Monday, 18 November 2013 02:11 AM

Mervyn, where art thou?

Cobra Monday, 18 November 2013 02:12 AM

What about the harassment of the people in the name of CHOGM?

Violet Monday, 18 November 2013 08:20 AM

We should have included a few tamils from Killinocchi in this Zoo. Then Mr Cameron could have saved the trip to North.

LotusPrins Monday, 18 November 2013 08:55 AM

Minds that can never move up to progress! Still breeding in archaic mindsets and ignorance.

Rhonda Taylor Monday, 18 November 2013 09:46 AM

Why didn't they put the Politicians on display who are bloating like wild buffaloes and stray pigs?

Das Monday, 18 November 2013 01:30 PM

Dehiwela Zoo is world class and was good enough for CHOGM visiters.Some unnamed lackey has been behind this absurd project - no veterinary advice appears to have been obtained.

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Animals harassed in the name of CHOGM

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