Insufficient water at Yala wildlife
By Risidra Mendis-August 22, 2014
Environmentalists complain that Wildlife officials are not providing enough water, during the drought season, for the animals at the Yala National Park.
Despite the water bowsers and two motors operated by solar power, to pump water to the dried up water holes at the National Park, animals can still be seen travelling long distances in search of water.
While Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWLC) Director General H.D.Ratnayake says the solar powered motors, costing around one million rupees each, provides enough water for the animals at the Yala National Park, Zoologist Dilan Peiris says dried up water holes can be seen inside the park.
"According to wildlife management, animals should not be given food and water during the drought season. In Wildlife Management there is something called 'Survival of the fittest' which means that during the drought season the weak, sick and old animals will die and the strong ones will remain to carry forward the next generation of healthy animals," Ratnayake explained. He added, despite this belief of the 'Survival of the Fittest' the DWLC provides water for the animals at the National Park.
"The solar powered motors pump water through pipes that are four inches wide. The pumped water is sent about two to three kilometres inside the park to fill up the dried up water holes. Water is pumped from the Menik Ganga. The drought season is from August to September and water is provided by the DWLC during this time. However, the DWLC cannot provide as much water as the rains would give the animals," Ratnayake said.
Meanwhile, Peiris said three water holes are filled up by the DWLC, but that since they are filled only a few times a day, the water is not sufficient for the animals. "DWLC officials should check on the water holes regularly and fill them up when they are dry. Some of the water holes in the park are full of mud. DWLC officials need to dig these holes and remove the mud before they are filled with water during the drought season," Peiris said.
By Risidra Mendis-August 22, 2014
Environmentalists complain that Wildlife officials are not providing enough water, during the drought season, for the animals at the Yala National Park.
Despite the water bowsers and two motors operated by solar power, to pump water to the dried up water holes at the National Park, animals can still be seen travelling long distances in search of water.
While Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWLC) Director General H.D.Ratnayake says the solar powered motors, costing around one million rupees each, provides enough water for the animals at the Yala National Park, Zoologist Dilan Peiris says dried up water holes can be seen inside the park.
"According to wildlife management, animals should not be given food and water during the drought season. In Wildlife Management there is something called 'Survival of the fittest' which means that during the drought season the weak, sick and old animals will die and the strong ones will remain to carry forward the next generation of healthy animals," Ratnayake explained. He added, despite this belief of the 'Survival of the Fittest' the DWLC provides water for the animals at the National Park.
"The solar powered motors pump water through pipes that are four inches wide. The pumped water is sent about two to three kilometres inside the park to fill up the dried up water holes. Water is pumped from the Menik Ganga. The drought season is from August to September and water is provided by the DWLC during this time. However, the DWLC cannot provide as much water as the rains would give the animals," Ratnayake said.
Meanwhile, Peiris said three water holes are filled up by the DWLC, but that since they are filled only a few times a day, the water is not sufficient for the animals. "DWLC officials should check on the water holes regularly and fill them up when they are dry. Some of the water holes in the park are full of mud. DWLC officials need to dig these holes and remove the mud before they are filled with water during the drought season," Peiris said.
