An ostrich is seen at Dehiwala Zoological Garden in Colombo, Sri Lanka, June 5, 2022. (Xinhua/Tang Lu)
Sri Lanka's ongoing economic crisis doesn't spare animals in zoos.
COLOMBO, June 7 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's Department of Zoology has informed the Wildlife Ministry that it has run out of funds to provide daily food to animals in zoos amid the South Asian country's ongoing economic crisis, local media have reported.
Department officials, quoted by media reports, said that there has been a severe shortage of funds due to the declining number of foreign tourists and local visitors.
A hippo is seen at Dehiwala Zoological Garden in Colombo, Sri Lanka, June 5, 2022. (Xinhua/Tang Lu)
They said the money allocated by the government in its yearly budget had also been running out.
The wildlife ministry had told the officials that steps would be taken to consult with the treasury to provide financial allocations to feed the animals.
Flamingos are seen at Dehiwala Zoological Garden in Colombo, Sri Lanka, June 5, 2022. (Xinhua/Tang Lu)
Sri Lanka's Dehiwala Zoological Garden, one of the oldest zoos in Asia, has a substantial collection of worldwide animals.
Sri Lanka is suffering one of its worst economic crises due to a foreign exchange shortage, which has led to lack of essentials such as medicines, fuel and food. ■
