IUCN Red list of threatened Animals that can be seen at the Department of National Zoological Gardens

Order - Cypriniforms
Family - Cyprinidae

The highest number of fresh water fishes belongs to this family. Most of the endemic fish to Sri Lanka also fall to this category, while some of them entered to the endangered level according to the IUCN Red list of threatened Animals. Some of these wonderful fish are exhibiting at the Department of National Zoological Gardens and the people who are enthusiastic to see their lovely features will get a ample opportunity here at the zoo Aquarium.

Endangered and an endemic fish to Sri Lanka.

Limited distribution can be seen . Loves fast moving deep rivulets. It will grows up to 13-15 cm. Olive brown colored body with lateral silvery shine with a dark color spot in each scale. Much elongated body comprises two barbells near mouth region. Fish fry prefers slow moving shallow rivulets under shade.

Critically endangered and an endemic fish.

Grows up to 6-7 cm. Dorsally dark ash to brown and whitish in ventrally. Laterally bluish spots and some vertical strips . Posterior end of caudal peduncle to posterior end of the caudal fin bears shiny and dark blue longitudinal strip.

Flattened body than barbs and adapted for living near the surface waters. Prefers rivulets having rocky and pebbled substrates. Limited distribution.

Critically endangered and an endemic fish to Sri Lanka.

Grows up to 5cm. Male and female fish easily recognized by the difference in color. Male purple-brown color with two vertical black spot behind the operculum  and caudal peduncle. Female slightly reddish with red color caudal fin.

Limited distribution. Slight changes in environment may effect to the fish population. Prefers rivulets flowing through paddy field and rubber estates having plenty of submerged vegetation.

Endemic to Sri Lanka.

Grows up to 5-6 cm. Males are colorful than females. Olive-brown body color while head and anterior parts of the body gives red. Laterally bearing three vertical spots , behind the operculum, below the dorsal fin and begin of the caudal peduncle. Only Pelvic and caudal fins transparent and other fins are  in black. Female bearing fins only the foot areas are in black.

Distribution in wetzone of the country. Prefers shallow, shady, slow moving rivulets near forests or bays of rivers.

Endemic to Sri Lanka.

Grows about 15cm in length. Dorsally yellowish color and ventrally whitish. Longitudinal line run along ventral side from anterior end of the body cross eyes up to posterior end of the caudal fin. Fins are yellow color. Bears two barbells.

Prefers lowland wet zone rivulets.

Endemic to Sri Lanka.

Grows about  4cm . Colorful fish. Male fish shows dark brown color dorsally. Beyond that white or pink in color. Reddish longitudinal line running laterally from mouth crossing the eye up to posterior end of the caudal fin. All fins in shinning red color. Comparatively female is dark in color .Both have two short barbells.

Endemic to Sri Lanka.

Grows about 4 cm. Several colored varieties are available. Most common is orange color. Dorsally purple brown to olive brown and lateral silver color. Ventrally whitish pink. Caudal peduncle bright orange and fins are bright orange. Lower lobe of the forked caudal fin is colorful.

Can be seen in lowland wet zone area in shallow shady rivulets. Very sensitive fish.

Endemic to Sri Lanka.

Medium sized, highly venomous, terrestrial snake. Inhabit the forests of wet and intermediate zones. Head distinct from neck, body cylindrical, eyes small and black or dark brown with 20 narrow white bands across body. Fangs are rather short and the venom is highly toxic causing respiratory failure.

Endemic to Sri Lanka.

A large, green pit viper, body stout, head large, triangular with distinct neck. A nocturnal and arboreal snake. When threatened, it vibrates its tail. Widely distributed in dry and wet zones in Sri Lanka. A venomous snake.

Endemic bird to Sri Lanka. The smallest member of the parrot faily in Sri Lanka. Solitary bird and make loud high pitched sound. Small size and green coloration makes them difficult to see when perching  tree tops. Sexes similar with green body and red crown. Found in forests, wooded home gardens, plantations from lowlands to hills at about 1200m.

Nice vision to see at the Bird aviary of the zoo.

Endemic to Sri Lanka.

Uncommon species and found in forests of wet and dry zone of the country. Often seen in pairs or in small flocks flying above the canopy. Visitor get a chance to see them in the Bird aviary.

Endemic bird.

Locally common species widely distributed throughout lowlands and lower hills. Usually found in pair or in small flocks. Uniformly grey in color and paler on under parts . Their distinguished character is having large bill and its color difference helps to identify the sexes.

Endemic bird.

There is a distinguished yellow color double pair of head wattles on its head.Largely confined to the wet zone ascending to the mid hills.

Endangered and endemic bird in Sri Lanka.

A common species in forests and gardens of the higher hills. Found in pair or small flocks. There are some yellow color feathers spreads down ward near the eye.

Endemic Monkey in Sri Lanka.

Shy monkey. Prefers forest which having tall tress. Generally found in small family troops. Largely folivorous but also eats fruits.

Endemic to Sri Lanka.

They prefer forests near water bodies and spreads all over the country. Omnivorous. They have complex social organizations. Very common site to see them near cultural sites where visitors gather.

Endemic to Sri Lanka.

Found in the hills and lowlands of the country. mostly nocturnal. Almost entirely arboreal. Spending the day lying up in branches. Feeds on fruits and berries and any small animals such as insects, frogs and birds.

The Black Rhinoceros is a species of rhinoceros, native to the eastern and central areas of Africa including Kenya, Tanzania, Cameroon, South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Angola. Although the Rhino is referred to as black, it is actually more of a grey/brown/white color in appearance.

Zoo having pair of black rhinos arrived to the zoo as an exchange we have done with Nagoya Higashiyama zoo in Japan. It is one of the center of attractions of every visitor. They look healthy and well acclimatized to our environment. Since it is a valuable animal we hope to breed them in the zoo.

The Arabian Oryx is classified as endangered on the IUCN Red List and is listed in CITES Appendix I.

The Arabian Oryx (Oryx leucoryx) is a medium sized antelope with a distinct shoulder hump, long straight horns, and a tufted tail. It is a bovid, and the smallest member of Oryx genus, native to desert and steppe areas of the Arabian peninsula.

Zoo is having wonderful group of Arabian oryx, that breeds well in captivity.

Endangered

Now confined to Sumatra and most of lowland of Borneo. Males have cheek pads of fatty tissue and a throat pouch.  Arms can be up to 2m long and are used to swing between trees.