Colombo, a city of contrasts, holds a remarkable secret that few are aware of. With over 277 species of fauna and 250 floral species, Colombo’s urban wetlands are diverse and thriving ecosystems that act as the beating heart of this ever-changing urban landscape.
From resident and migratory species of birds such as Pheasant-tailed jacana (Hydrophasianus chirurgus), elusive mammals such as the European Otter (Lutra lutra) and the fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus), to the prehistoric giants such as the Asian water monitor (Varanus salvator), and the saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) basking amongst the vegetation, Colombo bursts at the seams with a presence of urban wildlife that cities around the world can only dream of.
To raise awareness of these urban landscapes and species, Urban Fishing Cat Conservation Project biologist Anjallee Prabhakaran has curated bi-monthly Urban Wetland Walks. On these walks, we take anyone, ranging from wildlife enthusiasts to experts. We even take people who cannot tell the difference between a duck and a crow but have that spark of curiosity to find out!
Anjallee and the rest of our team are eager to share our knowledge and passion for the fascinating creatures that coexist with us all here in Colombo. We also give you a taste of what we do to protect the only urban population of fishing cats in the world by exposing you to some of the scientific equipment and knowledge that we have accumulated over the years.
So, come join us on our Urban Wetland Walks as we navigate through some of Colombo’s wetland parks, and witness the incredible biodiversity that they have to offer!
General Sessions
Locations:
Walks will be conducted at one of these incredible locations!
– Beddegana Wetland Park
– Diyasaru Park
– Thalangama Wetland
Times:
Morning session:
6:30 am to 9:00 am
Evening session:
3:30 pm to 6:00 pm
Dates, times will change every month based on environmental factors (heat, rain etc). All information will be available on the bookings page.
Group size and age range:
10 pax
All ages welcome!
Private Sessions
Please email us at mail@scar.lk for information on booking private sessions.
What will you learn on our walks?
- You will be exposed to the rich biodiversity of wetlands from ethical and educational perspectives.
- Look for animal spoors (smells, tracks, and scats) and identify species.
- Learn the basics of using camera traps in research.
- Learn how to collect scat ( animal poop) samples for further analysis.
- Understand and appreciate the importance of wetland habitats in Colombo and how they are interconnected with urban wildlife and us.
Important information:
You will be required to bring/wear the following items
– Water
– Snacks (any plastic items must be taken home with you)
– Closed-toed shoes
– Long pants / jeans (you will get muddy!)
– Hat / cap
– Sunglasses (if you are prone to headaches or migraines)
Meet your guide!
Anjallee Prabhakaran has always had a deep devotion for wildlife and its conservation. She began pursuing this field in Wasgamuwa National Park, where she contributed to research on the human-elephant conflict in Sri Lanka, to aid in its mitigation.
She has over five years of experience in wildlife guiding and is now a wildlife biologist at Small Cat Advocacy and Research’s Urban Fishing Cat Conservation Project, and is also leading her very own research on terrestrial mammals in a secondary regenerated forest in Ahangama, Sri Lanka.