By Risidra Mendis
They come from as far as the Beira Lake, Bolgoda, Kelani Ganga, Attidiya, Thalawathugoda, Diyatha Uyana and the Diyawanna Oya and are well settled way before their feeding time at the National Zoological Gardens in Dehiwala. Seated patiently and close to each other, the visiting Spot Billed Pelicans and the resident pelicans at the zoo wait for their food to arrive. Pelican feeding time at the Zoo is always an interesting sight to witness, as the numbers of birds differ everyday.
If you happen to be one of those lucky visitors, you will see about 100-200 pelicans at feeding time. On other days, it may be just around 20-30 birds on the ground with a few perched on top of trees, eagerly waiting for their fish. While some eat at the zoo and stay within the premises, others are visitors who come for their meal and then fly away only to return the following day, in time to be fed.
Sound of tractor
The sudden movement of the pelicans were followed by the sound of the tractor bringing their food. While the visitors watched from a distance, a box of fish was taken off the tractor and placed on the ground. A group of pelicans could be seen standing around the box, patiently waiting until it was opened.
The feeding time for pelicans is between 1:45 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Finally, some fish was thrown to the pelicans and the birds could be seen running towards it. Some were successful in getting a fish while others were not so fortunate.
Director General National Zoological Gardens Dammika Malsinghe told Ceylon Today that pelicans are a free living colony and around 45kg of fish is fed to the birds daily.
“The pelicans also feed on the fish in the pond close to the feeding area. The resident pelicans and some of the visiting pelicans build their nests and breed inside the Zoo. I cannot give an exact number of pelicans at the zoo because some are visiting birds and stay for a short time and leave,” Malsinghe explained.
Breeding season
“Pelicans were seen at the zoo from the 1970s. The pelican breeding season is from March to May. The birds build their nests on tall trees (Banyan trees and Kumbuk trees) with twigs, and lay three eggs. Only one species of pelicans is found in the country,” President, Organization for Aquatic Resources Management (OARM) Shantha Jayaweera said.
Commenting on the protection status of the Spot Billed Pelican, Environment Lawyer Jagath Gunewardene said under Section 66 of the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (FFPO), the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWLC) and the Police can take legal action against those causing harm or injury to the birds and their nests, as they are strictly protected under Section 31, sub Section 2 of the FFPO.
“According to the Red Data List, the pelican is listed as a globally threatened species. Under the FFPO it is an offence to cause harm or injury to the birds or their nests,” Gunewardene added.
Courtesy:Ceylon Today