Colombo, Nov. 1 -- Despite attracting large crowds at Dehiwala Zoo and Pinnawala Zoo, a recent audit has highlighted serious challenges affecting visitor experience at the Ridiyagama Safari Park, Sri Lanka's only safari park, and the nearby Pinnawala Zoo due to the limited variety of animals and lack of an attractive environment.

According to the audit of the Department of National Zoological Gardens for the year ending December 31, 2024, Dehiwala Zoo welcomed 1,023,091 visitors in 2024, while the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage recorded 650,013 tourists.

However, the Ridiyagama Safari Park, the only safari park in the country, and the nearby Pinnawala Zoo received only 209,500 and 302,627 visitors, respectively.

The audit noted that visi...