Flamingos are seen at Dehiwala Zoological Garden in Colombo, Sri Lanka, June 5, 2022. Sri Lanka's Department of Zoology has informed the Wildlife Ministry that it has run out of funds to provide daily food to animals in zoos amid the ongoing economic crisis, local media reported on Thursday.(Photo: Xinhua)

 

A hippo is seen at Dehiwala Zoological Garden in Colombo, Sri Lanka, June 5, 2022. Sri Lanka's Department of Zoology has informed the Wildlife Ministry that it has run out of funds to provide daily food to animals in zoos amid the ongoing economic crisis, local media reported on Thursday.(Photo: Xinhua)

 

An ostrich is seen at Dehiwala Zoological Garden in Colombo, Sri Lanka, June 5, 2022. Sri Lanka's Department of Zoology has informed the Wildlife Ministry that it has run out of funds to provide daily food to animals in zoos amid the ongoing economic crisis, local media reported on Thursday.(Photo: Xinhua)

 
Sri Lanka's Department of Zoology has informed the Wildlife Ministry that it has run out of funds to provide daily food to animals in zoos amid the ongoing economic crisis, local media reported on Thursday.

Department officials, quoted by media reports, said that there was a severe shortage of funds due to declining foreign tourists and local visitors.

Officials said the money allocated by the government in its yearly budget had also been running out.

The wildlife minister had told the officials that steps would be taken to consult with the treasury to provide financial allocations to feed the animals.

Sri Lanka's Dehiwala Zoological Garden, one of the oldest zoos in Asia, has a substantial collection of worldwide animals.

Sri Lanka is in one of its worst economic crises due to a foreign exchange shortage, which has led to lack of essentials such as medicines, fuel and food.