A Sri Lankan elephant habitat and walkway, named “Uda Walawe”, with a distinctly Sri Lankan theme was opened in Twycross Zoo, situated in Leicestershire, UK.
Twycross Zoo, which attracts half a million visitors each year, will be the first in the world with a Sri Lankan themed elephant habitat. “Uda Walawe” will promote the conservation of the Asian elephants and act as a shop window for crucial wildlife conservation programmes in Sri Lanka.
 "It is our ambition to encourage visits to the wildlife areas of Sri Lanka and to share with our visitors the magical aura of Sri Lanka. It is our desire to create a little piece of Sri Lanka in the UK and an opportunity for visitors to learn about and also visit Sri Lanka to see how beautiful this country is," said Suzanne Boardman, Director of Twycross Zoo.
We are delighted that our visitors will be able to experience a taste of Sri Lanka, as well as learn about the cultural and historical aspects of this wonderful country, including the important role that the domesticated elephant has had on the country, she said.
"Our aim is for this exhibit to forge strong links between the UK and Sri Lanka, particularly with regard to tourism. The opening of this new exhibit will help promote the need to conserve this important species globally and highlight the importance of elephants in Sri Lanka," she added.
The entrance to Uda Walawe in UK is a typical authentic farmer’s tree hut. Inside the hut are information panels on the distribution of elephants in Sri Lanka and Asia. Beyond this is a meandering forest trail which guides people to a Sri Lankan village school.
The school has a range of religious, cultural and elephant artifacts. Colourful information boards are prominent that highlight Sri Lankan wildlife and tourism. Large screen film footage will be playing showing elephants on festival parade from Sri Lanka.
When you leave the village school the forest trail then continues to a wooden bridge over a water lily pool, which allows close quarter views of the five elephants, four female adults and a male infant.The inner habitat is identical to Uda Walawe National Park in Sri Lanka, with a large lake, trees, rocks and sandy areas.
The trail will then lead you over a small wooden bridge and gentle stream. You will now enter a dry grass land habitat which is unique to Uda Walawe National Park. At this point there is a path choice, aimed at children. Adventurers can explore a small area where there is interactive information about elephants. The main trail leads to a typical Sri Lankan village hut. The hut allows visitors to see how Sri Lankan villagers live close to the wild elephants. The trail continues past the village crop of corn and sunflowers and will eventually lead through a wetland to the entrance of the Mary Brancker Waterways.
|
Contact Information:: Send
mail to