The officials of the Department of Zoology have informed the Minister of Agriculture, Wildlife and Wildlife Conservation Mahinda Amaraweera that there is no money to provide daily food to the animals in the Dehiwala Zoo as well as other zoos in the country.

Officials at the zoo say there is a severe shortage of food due to declining foreign tourist arrivals and local tourist arrivals due to fuel shortages and rising food prices.

Officials say that the money allocated by the government in the budget has also finished.

The suppliers who supplied food to the zoos are currently owed Rs. 59 million and need at least Rs.120 million more for the rest of this year, officials said.

The Minister had informed the officials that steps will be taken in consultation with the Treasury to provide the relevant financial allocations.