General

The Yellow Anaconda hatchling that was recently reported missing from the Dehiwala National Zoological Gardens in Sri Lanka has been found. Less than 24 hours after the zoo keeper responsible for that area was suspended, the hatchling was located inside an iron box in the zoo's Reptilium section. This hatchling, which is between 1.5 and 2 feet long, is the only Yellow Anaconda at the Dehiwala Zoo. It was part of a group of six snakes from four different species that were seized at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) from a woman trying to smuggle them into the country. These snakes were transferred to the Dehiwala Zoological Gardens on September 15, 2025, for quarantine and care. A formal complaint about the hatchling's disappearance was filed with the Dehiwala Police on December 7. Initially, the zoo keeper said the snake escaped because the enclosure door was accidentally left open. Despite a thorough search by the staff over several days, the hatchling could not be found. Following a preliminary investigation, the zoo keeper was suspended on December 16. Eventually, the hatchling was safely discovered inside an iron box in the Reptilium.