Journal of the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society of Sri Lanka Volume 28. Issue 6

The grey slender loris An elusive, nocturnal primate that lives in the jungles of Sri Lanka. The Loris magazine is named after it. (Pic by Chaminda Jayasekara)

ISSN: 0024-6514

LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 3 Contents

5/ 32/ Message from sponsor The untouched rainforests of the ocean: Exploring the coral reefs of Jaffna 6/ Editor’s note 36/ Trees in the Cathedral gardens 10/ The series of research 44/ papers which were Range extension of the sicklefin chimera presented at the Asia- Neoharriotta pinnata Schnakenbeck,1931 Pacific Meeting of the (Chimaeriformes: Rhinochimaeridae) to Association of Tropical include Sri Lanka and a note on sharks in Biology and Conservation freshwater 22/ 48/ Elephant Light Repel The socio-ecological importance of System (LRS): a pioneering Mahamodara Lake, the mangrove experiment between ecosystem along Keppu Ela and the the Sri Lanka army and Wakwella Marsh the Wildlife & Nature Protection Society 56/ Are we doing enough for biodiversity 26/ conservation? The morphed purple faced leaf monkey 62/ The splendour of Hirikatu Oya 66/ Snapshot: our 125th year 71/ Green Isle 28/ 74/ Youth Ambassador Program: Leopard 30/ Hill of Jawai, India Caught in the act...

4 LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 Message from Sponsor

This issue of Loris comes with a new look and revamped content structure that will excite the young readership that has begun to follow this magazine with avid interest. We wish to felicitate WNPS on its continuous drive to reinvigorate conservation discourse and involve our country’s next generation in environmental stewardship

Renuka Fernando Chief Executive Officer, Nations Trust Bank

Nations Trust Bank has been supporting the Wildlife and Nature Protection 20 railway stations with the aim Society over the past three years in the publication of the Loris and Warana/ of promoting responsible waste Vaaranam magazines. We have observed with satisfaction the quality of management and curbing marine content that has been generated and disseminated by the publications and plastic pollution. hope that this body of knowledge and the interest it has garnered will result in conservation outcomes to preserve our country’s rich biodiversity. While we mobilize positive biodiversity action, we also This issue of Loris comes with a new look and revamped content structure understand that wider engagement that will excite the young readership that has begun to follow this magazine is needed to sustain and scale with avid interest. We wish to felicitate WNPS on its continuous drive positive outcomes. Magazines like to reinvigorate conservation discourse and involve our country’s next Loris and Warana/Vaaranam provide generation in environmental stewardship. this space for wider discourse and collaboration. We invite you to stay We also take pleasure in observing that this edition of Loris has provided engaged and contribute to efforts coverage on the research papers presented at the Asia Pacific meeting of that seek to preserve and restore our the Association of Tropical Biology and Conservation held in Sri Lanka for country’s rich biodiversity. which Nations Trust Bank also provided support in facilitating a session on “Partnerships for Conservation”, where the importance of collaboration was highlighted by our partners like the WNPS, WCS-G, BSL and EFL. The General Committee of the Wildlife and Nature Protection Loris magazine has also provided a platform for the bank’s nature Society extends its sincere enthusiasts to contribute via content with articles and photographs and this gratitude to Nations Trust edition carries images of greater flamingos captured by a member of Nations Bank PLC for its generosity Photography Club. and commitment to wildlife conservation by being the sole In celebrating Nations Trust Bank’s 20th anniversary, the bank has set its sponsor for the publication of the ambition to further scale its conservation efforts with plans to restore 20 Loris. We also thank our other acres of forest in the country. Work on this aspiration is already set in motion sponsors whose support is vital with a partnership with Sri Lanka Army to restore forest in eight acres of for the effective administration of denuded land in the buffer zone of the Wilpattu National Park. Bank had the Society. also partnered with Sri Lanka Railways to install waste segregation bins at

LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 5 Editor’s Note

For the love of conservation on a political whim, have displaced and other parliamentarians about elephants from their home ground the importance of acting responsibly Sri Lanka is blessed to have the world’s and is bringing them into conflict with for the conservation of not only our largest land mammal, the elephant, people. In 2018, there were 278 deaths elephants, but all fauna and flora. He roam its terrain. Home to the highest due to the human- elephant conflict. In must hold them accountable for their density of Asian elephants, they are 2019 this increased to 361, the highest digressions. found in 60 percent of the country’s so far. Little is spoken about elephant land mass. A lack of collective deaths from starvation, poaching and It is in this context that we welcome appreciation and value for this relocation, which could be the same the President’s pledges during his phenomena is leaving us with a fast or even higher than deaths from the election campaign to protect natural dwindling elephant population. human-elephant conflict. elephant corridors and to find lasting solutions based on scientific evidence Mainstream and social media have Environmental scientists and and expert opinion to mitigate the been prolific with their reporting of conservationists have already warned human elephant conflict and to train accidents which have left behind of other human-animal conflicts such initiate an insurance scheme for those mangled elephant bodies. The human- as the human-leopard conflict, human- vulnerable to it. The recent separation elephant conflict is constantly in the monkey conflict and the human- of the ministries of wildlife and spotlight. The death of seven elephants peacock conflict as more and more environment from that of tourism is in a single incident in the last quarter of these animals are found straying a refreshing and progressive move of 2019 shocked the country and into cities and urban areas with their which will do away with the need for evoked an outpouring of indignation. habitats being cleared. They are competing mandates to put tourism The government pledged to bring the disasters already in the making and before wildlife when ideally, they culprits to book. But to date there is are simply waiting to happen. should complement each other. no clarity about how the elephants actually died. Were they poisoned or Of course the other side of the story Conservation and development are not? For now, the dust has settled and is the loss of human life. In 2019, often perceived as being at odds with all is forgotten until another elephant there were 109 human deaths. But in each other. But this is not the case. dies. Aren’t these knee jerk reactions an equation where there is man and The conservation of our flora and themselves a damning indictment of animal isn’t the onus on us to find fauna will lead to better eco systems, the lack of commitment to sustainable solutions to coexist? which in turn will generate better eco methods of wildlife conservation? A system services to provide the bedrock conservative guesstimate is that in the This is why the National Elephant needed for development. The practice next ten years, our elephant population Policy for the Conservation and of responsible tourism can make Sri will be down by 50 percent. The current Management of Elephants must be Lanka the best destination for wildlife count is around 6000. approved by the Cabinet of Ministers tourism, second only to Africa. Hence, without further delay. Although we must not kill the goose that lays the We live in a country where religion, this policy was drafted in 2006 and golden egg. which espouses compassion for was updated in 2017 and 2018, it all living creatures, is a pivot for a has been in the pipeline for months A new year brings new beginnings. majority of the population. Ironically, without any forward movement Therefore 2020 should be the year for most elephant deaths stem from the because of administrative apathy. It all conservation organisations in the involvement of man. As Hubert Reeves was drafted with the involvement of country to come together to pool our put it, man is the most insane species. many stakeholders and is considered strengths and resources and reaffirm He worships an invisible God and one of the best in the world. Among our commitment to collectively protect destroys a visible Nature. Unaware that the measures it looks at is how what nature has blessed us with. Let this Nature he is destroying is this God to mitigate the human- elephant us draw up a conservation charter and he is worshipping. conflict and damage to elephants, adopt it at a national convention. how to compensate people affected The painful hakka patas accounts for by the human-elephant conflict, the To use a metaphor, the seeds we sow between 40 – 50 percent of elephant management of elephants and their today will grow into trees that will deaths. Deforestation is taking place habitat and the promotion of scientific give us shade and fruit tomorrow. apace in the name of development research for the conservation and Unless they have the misfortune of and for human settlements, resulting management of elephants. The political being axed. Similarly, starting now, in habitat loss for many animals, not will that is required to approve and the need is for robust conservation just elephants. Years of denuding have implement this policy, along with measures if we are to leave behind taken its toll on the forest cover which a dynamic action plan, cannot be a legacy which is “green”, for this is down to less than 18 percent. Human underscored. The President must make country’s future generations. The settlements which have encroached this one of his priorities. He must future will be barren if not. into elephant corridors, done mostly make that wake up call to his cabinet

6 LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 Journal of the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society of Sri Lanka

OFFICE BEARERS December 2019

Patron His Excellency Maithripala Sirisena President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka (until November 2019)

Executive Committee members President Mr. Sriyan de Silva Wijeyeratne Vice Presidents Mr. Spencer Manuelpillai Ms. Tami Flamer Caldera General Secretary Mr. Jehan CanagaRetna Treasurer Mr. Dilshan Hettiaratchi

General Committee members Dr. [Ms.] Nirmali De Silva Professor Lakdas D. Fernando Dr. Hemantha Perera Mr. Rahula Dassenaieke Ms. Caryll Tozer Mr. Avijja Fonseka Mr. Shanaka Wijesinghe Miss. Zaineb Akbarally Ms. Sarasi Wijeratne Mr. Ranjan Josiah Mr. Graham Marshall

Immediate Past President Mr. Rukshan Jayewardene Editor - Loris Ms. Sarasi Wijeratne Loris Editorial Committee Dr. Sampath Seneviratne Ms. Arefa Tehsin Editor - Warana Mr. Sanjaya Weerakkody

Auditors M/s. Tudor V. Perera & Company, Chartered Accountant, 296/20 Shanthi Mawatha, Kirulapona.

WILDLIFE & NATURE PROTECTION SOCIETY of SRI LANKA #86, Rajamalwatte Road, Battaramulla

Tel: +94 (0) 11 288 7390 | Fax: +94 (0) 11 288 7664 | E-mail: [email protected] www.wnpssl.org https://www.facebook.com/wnpss1/ https://twitter.com/wnpssl

The Loris is the flagship magazine of the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS). It was first published in 1936 and since then, has been in print continuously. A biannual magazine, it is published in June and December.

The Editor invites members of the WNPS and the public to write articles to the Loris on matters related to biodiversity, natural history and nature conservation. All articles will be fact- checked by the Loris editorial team. The writing style and aesthetics of the magazine will be the prerogative of the Editor, who will make the final decision on the publication of an article.

The articles and views in the Loris are those of the authors and not of the WNPS. The Society publishes articles in good faith, assuming they do not infringe copyright.

@ 2019 Wildlife and Nature Protection Society

Front cover: the morphed purple faced leaf monkey by Rajiv Welikala. Designed by Optima Designs (Pvt) Ltd.

LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 7 d ing w orth atten chat A cat

Criti c ally en da n g e r d

Pink parade Flamingos in Mannar. (Pic by Gimantha Perera)

8 LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 9 research

The series of research papers which were presented at the Asia-Pacific Meeting of the Association of Tropical Biology and Conservation

The Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS) supported several researchers to present their research work at the Asia-Pacific Meeting of the Association of Tropical Biology and Conservation (ATBC – AP 2019) which was held from 10 – 13th September at MAS Athena, Thulhiriya. Over 400 researchers, academics, conservation practitioners and private and public-sector stakeholders representing 29 countries participated in the conference. The following abstracts are those presented at the conference by the researchers sponsored by WNPS.*

10 LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 Floristic diversity (51.19 %, 80.07 %) followed by Vitex altisssima (44.13 %). The natural forest and tree carbon stock species of M. hexandra, P. suberifolium, in forests in the and M. umbellatum were found in mixed plantation forest. Mean carbon Mullaitivu district stock of dense, sparse and mixed forest plantation was 146.13/23.87, 01 The study was carried out in a 138.77/22.04 and 27.35/5.83 Mg ha-1, tropical dry forest in the Mullaitivu respectively and this result revealed district in northern Sri Lanka. that tree carbon stock was high in the The objective of the study was to dense forests. compare the floral diversity and quantify the tree carbon stock in Anuraj Alagarajah, Jeyavanan dense and sparse forest of natural Karthigesu and Sivamathy reserve and mixed forest plantations. Sivachandiran A total of 12, 14 and 15 square Department of Agronomy, Faculty sampling plots (each 20 m × 20 m) of Agriculture, University of Jaffna. were laid out in dense, sparse Sri Lanka. and mixed forest plantations in ([email protected]) eleven locations respectively, in the district. The Shannon Wiener Index (SWI) and Important Value Index (IVI) were calculated for diversity assessment. Trees (> 5 cm in diameter) were selected to assess the carbon stock, using a tropical allometric equation. A total of 26 species in 17 families were recorded. The common species in all sites were Chloroxylon swietenia, Manilkara hexandra, Memecylon umbellatum, Alseodaphne semicarpifolia, Berrya cordifolia, Pterospermum suberifolium and Cassia fistula. The mean value of the SWI in mixed, sparse and dense forest for trees was 0.89, 1.56 & 1.71 respectively and for seedlings 1.18, 1.14 & 1.29, respectively. The results show that the diversity of trees, saplings and seedlings were high in dense forest compared to the sparse forest, followed by the mixed plantation. Based on the IVI, the dominant species in mixed forest plantation were Tectona grandis (111.34 %) followed by Eucalyptus globulus. (49.91 %) and in dense and sparse forest they were M. hexandra

LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 11 Plant diversity of found of which seven - Salicornia branchiate, Arthrocnemum indicum, saltmarshes in the Suaeda maritima, Suaeda mollis, Mannar district Suaeda vermiculata, Suaeda nudiflora, Spartina patens – were saltmarshes Saltmarshes within coastal vegetation belonging to three families - grow under extreme saline conditions. Chenopodiacea, Amaranthaceae 02 and Poaceae. Arthrocnemum Sri Lanka is covered with 23,819 ha of saltmarshes of which 6591.8 ha indicum and Suaeda maritima were is in the Mannar district, in north- abundant and Suaeda mollis was west Sri Lanka. The abundance and rarely found. Density ranged between distribution of saltmarshes in the 207,850 – 48,295 individual/ha. Mannar district was studied. The The principal component analysis extent of saltmarsh vegetation was showed of groupings. Cluster analysis mapped for the entire district using also showed four groups with a satellite images and verified by a 90% similarity. There seems to be field study. Sixteen patches were a reduction in diversity from the identified with saltmarshes within north to the south of Mannar. The the coastal ecosystem. A total of 48 findings of this study increase our transects of 100-50 m length and understanding of the saltmarsh flora 10 m width was studied. Transects in northwestern Sri Lanka and urged were 20 m away from each other us to voice for its conservation. and were perpendicular to the sea. Transects were divided into 5 m blocks Aashifa Mohamed Abdul Rasool*, and further divided into 2 m x 5 m Mathiventhan Thavanayagam and sub- blocks. The number of species Jayasingam Thangamuththu and number of plants of each species Eastern University, Sri Lanka. in sub-block was counted. Density, ([email protected]) abundance and ecological indices were calculated. Fifteen species were ociation of T ro p ical B iology an d C on s ervation M eeting of the Ass ociation the As ia-Pacific a p er s w hich ere re ente d at T he s erie of re earch p r ese ar c h

12 LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 Saltmarshes of Mannar

LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 13 The coastal shrub species were recorded; maximum of 66 and minimum of 13 species were vegetation of recorded in transects. The mean Batticaloa district height of the shrub vegetation and the mean diameter of these patches Coastal shrub vegetation is the most were 1.5m and 5m respectively. The prevalent vegetation in the costal maximum number of species per 03 block was 33 and patches per block landscape of the Batticaloa district in the east of Sri Lanka. To our was 46. The mean disturbance knowledge no studies exist about per block was 61% and the mean this unique type of vegetation. This visual cover was 34%. Cluster study was designed to determine the analysis showed 10 clusters at 80.39 abundance, composition and spatial similarity level. Shrub vegetation distribution of this vegetation type in was not continuous in the district the district. and was dwindling due to land grab for development. The coastal shrub vegetation was demarcated and the area was Thayananth S*, Mathiventhan T calculated using Google Earth and T. Jayasingam software. A total of 104 belt transects Department of Botany, Eastern of 10 m width were sampled at one University, Sri Lanka. km intervals. They covered the entire ([email protected]) district and were perpendicular to the coastline, varying from 450 m to 4750 m to a road or habitation. Each transect was divided into 50m blocks. The number of shrub patches, its height and diameter, the number of species, disturbance (had shrubs been cut) and total visual cover were recorded within each block. A total of 2,820 ha of shrub vegetation was found across 5 administrative divisions where two divisions had 1192 and 1077 ha each. Shrub vegetation was found in 27 ociation of T ro p ical B iology an d C on s ervation M eeting of the Ass ociation the As ia-Pacific a p er s w hich ere re ente d at transects (26%) only. A total of 85 T he s erie of re earch p r ese ar c h

14 LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 A comparative study 11 orders were collected during the study. The highest soil dwelling and of insect diversity in aerial insect diversity was recorded an abandoned chena in the abandoned chena (H’= 0.498, 0.878) followed by the vegetable and a vegetable agro-ecosystem (H’= 0.380, 0.782). agro-ecosystem in The evenness of the insect fauna in 04 the abandoned chena and vegetable Dambulla agro-ecosystem was 0.536 and 0.442, Insects are the most diverse group respectively. The insect abundance of animals in the world and they was significantly high (p<0.05) in the play a major role in ecosystem abandoned chena compared to the diversity and sustainability. vegetable plots. However over time, it The composition of plants in was not significantly different from an ecosystem could be a major the insect diversity in the chena. determinant on the insect S.A.D. Thakshila1*, U.G.A.I. Sirisena1, community because plants provide Nalaka Geekiyange1, M.C.M. Iqbal2 food, habitat and shelter for insects. and D.S.A. Wijesundara2 The effect of agricultural practices on the diversity of insect fauna is 1. Department of Plant Sciences, not fully understood in the local Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, context. Therefore, this study Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. was conducted to assess insect diversity and abundance in two 2. National Institute of Fundamental different ecosystems: an abandoned Studies, Hanthana, Sri Lanka. chena (5Ar) and a vegetable agro- ([email protected]) ecosystem located in Dambulla. Soil dwelling insects and aerial insects were collected using ten pitfall traps (200 ml) and two light traps (12V, 1.5W) which were installed in each location (300m apart). Samples were taken after 24 hours at one month intervals. The number of insects trapped was compared using poison regression analysis and the diversity was compared using Shannon diversity and Bray Curtis similarity indices. The evenness of families was assessed using Pielou’s index. A total of 2,505 insects belonging to 54 families and

LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 15 Mosquito diversity in confirmed with DNA sequencing and diagnostic PCR assays. A the Jaffna Municipal total of 2742 female mosquitoes Council area that emerged from larvae were identified as follows, Aedes aegypti Diversity of mosquitoes has (23.9%), Aedes cogilli (12.9%), Aedes epidemiological importance as albopictus (8.3%), Aedes vittatus 05 (2.9%), Anopheles stephensi (19.8%), they act as a competent vector for a number of human and animal Anopheles varuna (14.7%), Anopheles vector-borne diseases. Different subpictus (11.7%) and Anopheles species of Aedes, Culex and culicifacies (5.8%). The identified Anopheles are responsible for the species included two newly reported transmission of human diseases invasive species namely, Aedes such as dengue, filariasis and cogilli and Anopheles stephensi. malaria which are major public Importantly, six of the eight identified health concerns in many tropical species are considered as vectors and sub-tropical countries. As of human pathogens. The diversity mosquitoes are very sensitive to and abundance of the species was environmental changes, diversity related to the seasonality and habitat of mosquito species varies among diversity. The study shows that different habitats. Poorly maintained mosquitoes are very well adapted urban areas act as shelter and to develop in a variety of habitats refuge for many native and invasive including open-drain water and mosquito species, increasing the saline water habitats in the urban incidence of vector-borne diseases. environment. This study was about the diversity Figure: Two newly reported invasive of the Aedes and Anopheles species mosquitoes found in the Jaffna in the Jaffna Municipal Council peninsula, the Aedes cogilli (left) and area where dengue is a major the Anopheles stephensi (right), are a public health issue. Fortnightly new threat to Sri Lanka. random field visits were carried out in four locations (Gurunagar, Tibutius Thanesh Pramanayagam Navanthurai, Ariyalai and Jaffna) in Jayadas*, Kokila Sivabalakrishnan, the Jaffna Municipal Council area Thiruchenthooran Vaikunthavasan, from January to December 2018. Sharanga Santhirasegaram,

ociation of T ro p ical B iology an d C on s ervation M eeting of the Ass ociation the As ia-Pacific a p er s w hich ere re ente d at Field collected larvae were reared Tharsan Annathurai, Noble under standard insectary conditions Surendran Sinnathamby and emerged adults were identified University of Jaffna. Sri Lanka. morphologically while some were ([email protected]) T he s erie of re earch p r ese ar c h

16 LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 Avitourism potential preferences, proximity to residential areas, proximity to accommodation, in the Jaffna district distance from main roads, and with special reference scenic beauty. Among the 19 recorded areas, eight of them - Vallai, to the greater flamingo Thondamanaru, Chundikulam, (Phoenicopterus Anthanathidal, Mandaitivu, 06 Allaipiddy, Mankumban and roseus) Avarankal east - are high potential areas for the greater flamingo. Seven The greater flamingo areas- Mamunai-Chempiyanpattu, (Phoenicopterus roseus) is an Vatharavaththai, Kapputhu, Kopay, uncommon migrant bird species to Araly Barrage area, Chavakachcheri Sri Lanka. The species is a major and Nagar Kovil - are of moderate attraction among tourists, both local potential and the rest represent and foreign. The known strongholds the lowest potential for avitourism. of this species in Sri Lanka include A total of 4,658 individuals in six the Jaffna peninsula, Mannar and major flocks were recorded during the coastal areas of the south-east. the study period. Flamingos were Previous studies that were carried observed all year round during the out to understand the status of this study period, and they were observed species in the northern province making cycling movements within are limited, possibly because of the the Jaffna peninsula. This study three-decade long civil war in the showed that several wetland areas country. The objective of the current in the Jaffna peninsula have large study was to evaluate the ecotourism numbers of greater flamingo. potential of the greater flamingo. Hence, we recommend that these The initial analysis was carried out wetland areas should be declared based on studies undertaken from as nationally and internationally 2013 to 2017, covering the entire important waterfowl habitats Jaffna peninsula including its main for conservation and economic islands. For suitability analysis, Multi purposes. Criteria Decision Method (MCDM) and criteria ranking method (GIS) Packiyanathan Rajkumar were used, considering greater Divisional Secretariat, Jaffna district. flamingo areas. The evaluation Sri Lanka. process for ecotourism sites was ([email protected]) conducted based on six criteria viz., flamingo species diversity, tourist

(Pic by Gimantha Perera)

LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 17 How does seed water between seed coat thickness were identified. Correlations among all gap structure affect the parameters (normal seed coat germination of tropical thickness, seed coat thickness at seed water gap structure, increased fig seeds? width of water gap structures, increased length of seed water gap Understanding the regeneration 07 structure and imbibition rate) and process and its response to future germination success at 25°C, showed global changes is important in that germination rate correlated the face of deforestation and negatively with the increased width forest destruction. Investigating of seed water gap structures (p<0.05), the predictive power of seed increased length of seed water gap functional traits to determine structure (p<0.05) and with the regeneration success could seed coat thickness of water gap extend this understanding. This structure (p<0.05). This indicated study, using 16 Ficus species, that the species with thinner seed evaluated the role of seed water coat thickness of seed water gap gap structure during the imbibition structure had greater germination. phase of seed germination. A dye The negative relationship observed tracking experiment using seeds between water gap structure submerged in acid fuchsin for width and length parameters 20 minutes, followed by paraffin indirectly implies that for successful embedding, slicing and subsequent germination, what matters most is measurement of digital images the amount of water entering the showed that the water gap structure seed than the rate of imbibition. This was the main water entry point study provides novel insights into for all species. The hilum region the role of the water gap structure length and width was measured characteristics in determining by imbibing seeds for 12 h period seed functional traits, such as at 25°C. The seed coat thickness in germination. the water gap structure area was different from the rest of the seed Veenavee Silva1,2*, Huayang coat. The intra-specific differences Chen,2*, Nalaka Geekiyanage,1,2 and Uromi M. Goodale,2 1. Department of Plant Sciences, ociation of T ro p ical B iology an d C on s ervation M eeting of the Ass ociation the As ia-Pacific a p er s w hich ere re ente d at Rajarata University, Puliyankulama, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

2. Plant Ecophysiology and Evolution Group, Guangxi Key Laboratory for Forest Ecology and

T he s erie of re earch p Conservation, College of Forestry, Guangxi University, Daxuedonglu 100, Nanning 530005, Guangxi, China. ([email protected]) r ese ar c h

18 LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 The impact of low-dose fertilization) were assigned to each tank and treated until maturity in 95 Bisphenol-A exposure dpf. Length and weight of a randomly on the growth of a selected sample of five fish from each tank were measured weekly. fish model: Zebrafish Specific Growth Rate (SGR), Body 08 (Danio rerio) Mass Index (BMI), and Condition Factor (CF) were calculated at 95dpf. Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical Compared to the control treatment, produced in heavy quantities and its the length increment and SGR of leaching makes it an environmental BPA-treated fish were significantly contaminant in urban ecosystems. high. Further, the increase of BPA perturbs endocrine and length and SGR of fish increased metabolic pathways of organisms significantly with increasing BPA through its xenoestrogenic and concentrations. BMI was significantly endocrine-disrupting activity. reduced in BPA-treated fish BPA exposure affects growth, compared to the control treatment. development, and reproductive CF was significantly reduced in physiology of organisms. Thus, it is BPA-treated fish compared to important to gain more insights into the control and decreased with the impact of BPA on ecosystem increasing BPA concentrations. CF health. The objective of this study indicates the environmental quality is to investigate the effect of BPA on by measuring health condition based growth performance of zebrafish on the growth performance of fish. (Danio rerio). The zebrafish model It can be concluded that low-dose, is widely used in environmental early-life BPA exposure results in monitoring and BPA-related studies. significant physiological impact in Here, the zebrafish were treated for growth performance of zebrafish due 60 days with two BPA concentrations to potency of BPA to disrupt growth representing environmentally hormone signaling pathways. prevalent doses (1 and 10 /g/L), This calls for more comprehensive and control. Each treatment was research and constricted measures triplicated. Twenty wild-type juvenile to mitigate the environmental zebrafish of age 35 dpf (days post introduction of BPA to safeguard ecosystem health.

S.P.K.S.S Pathiraja* and R.P.G.K Rajapaksa

Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. ([email protected])

LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 19 An assessment of were 98.97 (14.6 %), 178.76 (26.38%), 276.80 (40.85%) km2 and Shannon’s urban sprawl in entropy values were 0.928, 1.009 Colombo district using & 1.059 for the years 1997, 2009 and 2018 respectively, which is an remote sensing and efficient indicator to measure urban GIS techniques sprawl. We observed that Colombo 09 district continues to sprawl from Urban sprawl is one of the key issues 1997 to 2018. The analysis of the faced by cities across the globe. results further showed that the rapid Urban sprawl is an unplanned and increase of the built-up area resulted uneven pattern of growth, driven by in a decrease in vegetation and a multitude of processes and leading agricultural areas. Calculated relative to inefficient resource utilization. entropy values which were 0.86, 0.93 This study evaluates urban sprawl and 0.98 for consecutive years has in the Colombo district in 1997, an increasing trend and exceeded 2009 and 2018 using Shannon’s the threshold value of 0.5, indicating entropy values. The maximum a higher level of urban sprawl in likelihood supervised classification the Colombo district. Developed was done for Landsat 8 OLI/TIRS maps show that since 1997, the (Operational Land Imager/Thermal city has experienced pronounced Infrared Sensor-2018) and Landsat urban sprawl along the main roads 5 TM (Thematic Mapper-1997, 2009) of Colombo district. Prioritized satellite images to get the built- policies in the government’s up areas and then assessed the public investment program for Shannon’s entropy values using GIS. The calculated built-up areas ociation of T ro p ical B iology an d C on s ervation M eeting of the Ass ociation the As ia-Pacific a p er s w hich ere re ente d at T he s erie of re earch p r ese ar c h

Figure: built-up area in the Colombo district.

20 LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 2017-2020 for sustainable urban development by educating people about infrastructure set up, revitalizing cities and older towns and investment in better clean public transportation may be helpful to prevent further sprawl development in Colombo district. More studies of a similar nature are encouraged to check the effectiveness of applying policies both in Colombo and elsewhere.

B. Antalyn* and V. P. A. Weerasinghe

Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. ([email protected])

NB: Several images were inserted and content was edited to make them more relevant for our readers.

Figure: urban sprawl in Colombo district in 1997, 2009 and 2018.

LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 21 endangered

Elephant Light Repel System (LRS): a pioneering experiment between the Sri Lanka army and the Wildlife & Nature Protection Society

By: Jehan CanagaRetna & Sri Lanka ranked as worst in the Rohan Wijesinha world for the human-elephant conflict (hec). he media in Sri Proportionately, Sri Lanka ranks as Lanka carry having the worst human – elephant regular reports conflict (hec) in the world! In 2018, about the suffering officially, more than 300 elephant to both humans and over 75 human deaths were and elephants directly attributable to hec. The caused by the increasing incidence of hec and Tencroachment of one into the habitat related challenges have become an of the other with there being no area of focus for the WNPS in recent happy ending to most of the tales. In years, particularly in light of the fact this battle of attrition, the elephant that though a National Management tends to be the greater loser – not Plan for the Conservation of the only has the annual reported death Wild Elephant in Sri Lanka was first toll of wild elephants now reached drawn up in 2006, was updated over 300, but there is also increasing and improved in 2017 and again in destruction of, and encroachment 2018, it still awaits ratification by the into their natural habitat that will cabinet, and was poorly implemented lead to greater, future conflict – and even before this. State institutions more deaths. are apathetic about tackling hec in the long-term. Instead, they resort The fact that approximately 50 – 75 to methods of crisis intervention, people die every year as a result usually with political rather than of this conflict adds greatly to this conservation solutions. The ad tragedy. Where no argument is hoc initiatives implemented by necessary for the need to protect select stakeholders and wildlife human lives, why is it important to conservationists have been protect those of wild elephants? inadequate in finding a cost-effective,

22 LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 30 villages in the north central and north eastern regions of the country where hec was a major problem, with a success rate of one hundred percent. Its success has also been assisted by the villagers themselves taking responsibility for the erection and maintenance of these fences both physically and financially, through ‘Village Fence Committees’ that they form on their own.

In the case of fences around cultivations, many of them are seasonal fences which are erected at seeding and then removed after harvest, allowing elephants of the area much-needed additional fodder from the stubble and gleanings. practical and sustainable solution The prime natural reasons for It has been estimated that it costs to minimize hec and to create a elephants to move from one place approximately LKR 1, 000, 000 to safe environment for both humans to another is in search of food erect an electric fence around one and elephants. and water. They tend to do this kilometer of land. If the figures are along paths they have travelled correct, then there is a huge cost In the wrong place! for centuries; elephants have well in erecting them. As per the DWC Electric fencing has proven to be delineated, comparatively small figure it will cost about LKR 250 the most effective way of keeping home ranges of 50 - 150 km2 to million a year (as per the annual elephants out of cultivations, but which they show high fidelity. When budgetary allocation from the central they have to be in the right places. At these are blocked by unplanned government). present, as per official figures, there is development or politically directed sufficient fencing to circumnavigate electric fencing, they will find ways A possible new way Sri Lanka about three times over – of either breaking the fences or of A colonel who is serving in the Sri approximately 4, 300Kms! Yet, the circumventing these obstacles, or Lanka army had great sympathy hec continues to increase and the stay where they are and starve. If for his driver whose home was in only solution that the authorities they choose life, then their route Vilachchiya, on the borders of the seem to resort to is to erect even will inevitably take them through more fences. The fundamental villages and cultivations and so the problem is that the fences are in the conflict begins. wrong place! As mentioned earlier, constructed usually on a political New thinking whim rather than for a conservation The primary objective of fencing is need, the tendency has been to the protection of people. Research build them on administrative rather undertaken by the Centre for than habitat boundaries where Conservation & Research (CCR) has there would be sufficient fodder proved that the most effective way for elephants throughout the year. of doing this is by fencing in houses, The most ridiculous of these being villages and cultivations while between Department of Wildlife permitting the elephants to roam in Conservation (DWC) land and the their traditional pathways outside the Forestry Department (FD) land. fences. CCR has trialed this in over

LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 23 ature Protection Society anka army an d the Wil life & N ature

Sri Lanka ranks as having Wilpattu National Park. Elephants would come into the the worst human – elephant family cultivations and they would lose large quantities of their crops; a financial loss they could ill afford. He applied conflict (hec) in the world! his thoughts to finding a solution and during the course of In 2018, officially, more his study discovered a possible natural and cost effective than 300 elephant and over way of keeping elephants away without harming them.

75 human deaths were Elephants have dichromatic colour vision with two spectral directly attributable to hec. cone types: shortwave-sensitive (S) cones with a light The increasing incidence of absorption maximum of 419 nm (blue) and medium-to-long hecand related challenges wave-sensitive (M/L) cones with an absorption maximum have become an area of of 552 nm (yellow). Furthermore, the eyes of elephants exhibit features of diurnal (small eyes relative to body focus for the WNPS in recent size) as well as of nocturnal animals (abundant rods in years, particularly in light conjunction with a Tapetum lucidum) (Walls1942). The of the fact that though a absence of a fovea and the dominance of rods throughout National Management Plan the retina indicate the need for good night vision. When for the Conservation of the a flickering LED light hits the elephant’s retina, it is temporarily blinded and disoriented and thus, moves away / Wild Elephant in Sri Lanka avoids such a light.

E le p hant L ight R e el Sy s tem ( LR S): a ioneering ex eriment bet w een the Sri was first drawn up in 2006, was updated and improved As an experiment, earlier this year, a series of LED light bulbs were placed on posts in a designated area in in 2017 and again in 2018, it Vilachchiya. They were positioned seven meters apart and still awaits ratification by the raised to seven feet above ground level; the approximate Cabinet. average height of the positioning of the eyes of an adult wild elephant (the usual perpetrators; females and their en da n g e r d young rarely raid cultivations). The bulbs were powered by a 24V battery, which is periodically re-charged off the national grid. 40 LED bulbs were arranged in clusters using shower heads and connected to the battery through PVC pipes.

24 LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 The lights were then switched on between the fence and 10 meters Cost & risks at dusk. They flashed continuously from the light. It had reached a The WNPS will implement this through the night. As reported by height that interfered with the line of project with funding from sponsors. the villagers of Vilachchiya, since vision of the elephants. The funds raised will determine the installation of this Light Repel the number of locations it can be These however, are early learnings System (LRS), elephants have been implemented in. In addition, 5% of that can be rectified almost successfully deterred from entering the project costs will be borne by immediately by conforming with the village or cultivations around the villagers (as proven by the CCR the needs of the system and minor the village. No hec related loss projects referred to above). This gives adjustments to meet with the or damage to person, property or them ‘ownership’ of the project and ingenuity of the elephant. elephant has occurred since the helps ensure that they take care of installation here apart from one An affordable cost the materials in their custody. instance when the perpetrator was found to be blind. It costs approximately LKR 75, 00 Elephants are extremely intelligent to place the LRS along a length of animals as science, and not just Thinking out of the box one kilometer. Contrast this with anecdote, has proven. They will do Based on the colonel’s research and approximately LKR 1, 000, 000 their best to find ways around the findings, the general committee for electric fencing for the same system. Ultimately, the success of of the WNPS made a decision to distance! It costs approximately this project will depend if humans conduct further trials on a wider LKR 350 a month to re-charge the can be smarter and kinder than we scale with different populations of batteries per kilometer of fencing. have hitherto been to them. The elephants, and in areas of differing Solar panels were considered as an biological limitation of their eyesight, habitat, to find out if this method alternative but were rejected due however, which gives this project its will prove to be of universal viability. to the nature of the terrain and for strength, gives it a fighting chance. To begin with, the northern border security reasons as experiences Ultimately, we humans will just have of the Uda Walawe National Park elsewhere have shown that the to wait and see. was chosen – close to the town of panels become targets for thieves. Pokunutanna. The system was set Reference The experiment in Pokunutanna will up in May 2019, over a length of 2.5 Walls, G. L. (1942): The vertebrate eye be conducted over a period of seven kilometers. So far, it has proved to be and its adaptive radiation. Bloomfield to nine months with continuous successful apart from a handful of Hills, Mich., Cranbrook Institute of monitoring. The villagers have been occasions when elephants breached Science. given a log to record each instance the line of lights. There were an elephant breaks through the however, logical explanations for this. http://www.ccrsl.org/Programs/ fence and the possible reasons for elephant-conservation/human- 1. The battery had not been charged it. In addition, members of the hec elephant-conflict-hec sufficiently for the lights to work committee of the WNPS will make properly. frequent field trips to these areas to collate information which will 2. One elephant had sunk to his be analyzed for future decision knees and belly crawled under the making. The findings from the data range of the lights until he was collated in the duration of the project through, will be shared with donors and stakeholders at the end of the project 3. The villagers had been negligent to collaboratively and collectively in not clearing the ‘mana’ grass determine the next steps.

LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 25 Science

Text and Pix by Rajiv Welikala

ew things can be considered truly mind bogglingly hard to find and it’s this very rarity that makes its existence almost mythical. It is against this backdrop that knowledge of a very rare genetic variation in a particular troop of endemic species of monkey which is found only in Sri Lanka came as music to my ears.

26 d L eaf monkey ace T he mor p d Pur le F

S c i ence

28 LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 White may prove to be disadvantageous for animals as they are easier to spot by predators. But maybe in this case there are very few predators to bother these large monkeys.

This particular genetic variation causes a white morph in selected troops of these primates. This white morph is different to that of the albino in that the animal in question does not suffer the extreme de -pigmentation of the albinos who have red eyes and pale skin. But rather, only certain parts of the body like the fur and some areas of the skin are affected. The eyes too tend to remain unaffected much like the blue eyes found in certain white tigers and lions. This feature makes this rare animal extremely beautiful and a feast for the eyes.

This rare animal is a white morph of the endemic purple faced leaf monkey which is black in color with white or grey whiskers. There are four subspecies of this monkey. The key difference in them is their coat.

I heard that this elusive troop of monkeys, among which are these rare ones, hide away in the deep dark corners of the country’s wet zone. Despite a few attempts to find them I was not that lucky!

This time too I was not really trying to find the monkeys but was rather doing a sort of reconnaissance for my next trip when I spotted a snow- white animal cross my path. Excited, I scrambled to a vantage point to view this rare beauty. To my amazement the specimen I saw was a fully mature adult female who had a sort of "pied" appearance on the few areas of her body which still had traces of black. What was amazing was that the female was carrying a white baby. It was thrilling to see this as the adult was clearly breeding and producing white offspring. There was another juvenile among the trees whose white was even more pronounced. Bolder than the big female, this youngster came into view and kept feeding on the tree. What an amazing sight it was! One of those few moments in my life which was both breathtaking and life altering. Seeing such a rare animal with my own eyes was such a pleasure.

According to well- known environmentalist Rohan Pethiyagoda, the white morph is due to a phenomena known as leucism. It is a condition which is characterized by reduced or altered pigmentation in animals that gives a white color to their skin and fur. In the case of albinism, it is a complete reduction of the skin pigment melanin. But in this case the partial reduction in pigment results in the white pelage appearing only in certain parts of the body. The eyes remain normal. “Clearly the leucistic gene has been spreading across several troops and may even be selected, if males prefer white females”, explains Pethiyagoda.

White may prove to be disadvantageous for animals as they are easier to spot by predators. But maybe in this case there are very few predators to bother these large monkeys. The white males and females maybe attractive to the eye of other members, making them a preferred candidate for mating. I saw the rest of the troop. They had the normal colour of this species.

An encounter so special and rare I will cherish it for the rest of my life.

LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 29 Science Caught in the act... Text and Pix by Caryll Tozer

he Asian paradise flycatcher has undergone several taxonomic shifts. It was first classified as belonging to the family of old world flycatchers, the Muscicapidae, but has now been listed under the family Monarchidae, a group distantly related to flycatchers. In 2015, the conspecies classified under Asian paradise flycatcher was split and three separate species were recognized: The Indian paradise flycatcher, the Blyth's flycatcher and the amur flycatcher.

I find the Indian paradise flycatcher (Terpsiphone Paradisi) of special interest as both resident and migratory populations of the same species can be found in Sri Lanka. The long tailed rufous paradise flycatcher (T.p. Ceylonensis) is a resident while the white paradise flycatcher with beautiful, ribbon-like long streamers (T.p. paradisi) is a migrant that doesn't breed in Sri Lanka. The females and juveniles of both species are similar in appearance - short tailed and rufous in colour.

30 LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 However, amateur birders such as myself have been confused about these birds, for quite a while. Did the Sri Lankan short tailed flycatcher grow a long tail as it aged? Are the long tailed Indian white paradise flycatcher and the Indian rufous paradise flycatcher two different species? Were the short tailed white and rufous birds immature and were they migrant or resident? We could only depend on what we were observing in the field until I was fortunate to photograph the long tailed Indian rufous paradise flycatcher morphing into the beautiful white specimen in these photographs which were taken on a recent trip to Eluwankulam in the north western province of Sri Lanka.

LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 31 Science

The untouched rainforests of the ocean Exploring the coral reefs of Jaffna

oral reefs are symbiotic ecosystems. They are co-operative interactions between coral polyps and a symbiotic algae known as zooxanthellae which lives in the coral tissues and photosynthesize and provide color. Coral reefs are highly productive and diverse ecosystems, comparable with tropical rain forests of the terra firma. The symbiotic relationship produces the high productions and formulation of reef forms through calcification by coral colonies. These productive ecosystems act as a major source of income to half a billion people across the globe who live near reefs and engage in fishing, recreation and the aquarium industry for a livelihood. Reefs also protect the shoreline from the waves. The ecological Csignificance of coral reefs is that they act as spawning, breeding and nursery grounds for many coral associated organisms by maintaining bio-physical interactions with adjacent seagrass beds, mangroves and coastal water bodies.

(Pic by Anura Upasanta Kumara)

32 LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 In the northern reefs, home to the Jaffna fringing reefs, the situation seems to be somewhat different: research has shown that the coral reefs of the northern sea are unusually resilient to climate changes and are likely to survive even harsher conditions in the future. It has become evident that the corals of northern most Sri Lanka are unique and have to be protected and preserved.

Research has shown that no less Healthy reefs in Point Pedro. (Pic by Anura Upasanta Kumara) than 123 species of hard coral representing 43 out of the 111 genera known in the world have The coral reefs of Jaffna - the fore reef and back reef, the been recorded in these coral reefs. situation and challenge Kayts fore reef and back reef, in The reef ecosystem underpins The coral reefs of the Jaffna peninsula Mandaitivu and in Delft north east the productivity of the marine are a diverse and lesser known marine reef crest, were done according to resources of the peninsula ecosystem which is scattered around the standard reef check method by upon which depend the survival the seven major islands in the Palk laying a 100 m long Line Intercept of the inhabitants. Mapping Bay and along the northern coast in Transect (LIT). show potential resources that the Palk Strait of Sri Lanka. Historical Digital photography and can be tapped into for coastal data on the status of coral reefs in videography were used to record the zone management, resource the Jaffna peninsula remains scarce coral habitats and species beside monitoring and future scientific mainly due to the three decades of transects (GoPro Digital Hero 5Balck, research. Protecting the genetic civil war. The coral reefs are known GoPro Inc. USA). Marine scientists signature of coral reefs in the for their resilience in the face of rising who were trained to conduct Jaffna peninsula too is vital as the sea temperatures but many of them underwater studies took part in the adaptive capacity of these corals are threatened by other factors such surveys. Three different shots were may contribute to its genome. as development, overfishing, and taken of the coral species for the destructive fishing practices. Mapping purposes of identification; a wide- Biogeographic regions of coral angle distance shot, a mid-shot and The approach reefs surveyed in this research a close up. Between November 2016 and study are shown below. The January 2019, the Postgraduate The insight mapping of reefs will assist in the Institute of Agriculture at the In the last three decades, coral management of human activities University of Peradeniya (UoP) and reefs around the world have been such as the development of the Department of Fisheries at the damaged tremendously due to fishery harbours, anchoring University of Jaffna (UoJ) coordinated global climate change. Increasing points and other fishery relevant and conducted an underwater survey greenhouse gas emissions do not construction at various levels in an effort to better understand only cause a rise in the average from informing the reefs to the this unique ecosystem. Professional global temperature and more choice of management and divers from the Ocean University extreme weather events but implementing measures for of Sri Lanka (OCUSL) and National also cause the oceans to become fisheries, dredging, mining and Aquatic Resources Research and warmer and more acidic. What sewage discharge. Development Agency (NARA) helped follows are mass bleaching events with the survey. The Department Understanding the location, like those seen in the Great Barrier of Wild Life Conservation and the extent and values of coral reefs Reef in Australia. In Sri Lanka it Sri Lanka navy granted permission will facilitate proper coordination happened in 1998, 2005, 2016 and for the survey to be conducted. between relevant stakeholders 2017 in Hikkaduwa, Unawantuna Surveying and mapping in Point when preparing development and the bar reefs. As a result, 80 Pedro in Munai, Thondaimanaru, plans to ensure their sustainable percent of the shallow water corals Inbarsitty, Valithoondal, Karainagar, use and habitat protection. in the south and north west were the Casurina reefs, the Punkudutivu irrecoverably destroyed.

LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 33 points, and because of pollution on the coast. Therefore it is important to find immediate and tangible solutions to enable coral reef survival in the region.

According to present and past research studies, the protection of coral reefs in Jaffna is critical not only because of its direct ecological and economic relevance but because it might be a potential reservoir of different coral species which could withstand the effects of climate change in the near future. Because of challenges to the conservation of the Jaffna corals and its associated species, the operating of fishing vessels in the reef regions is limited. because a higher number of fishing Map of study sites in the northern coast of Jaffna peninsula and islands. communities reside in these areas.

Key findings on large domes of dead corals At the same time awareness campaigns will be required to give The north coast of Jaffna has the demonstrated that there had been T he untouche d rainfore s t of the ocean E x p loring coral reef Jaffna local fishermen and residents a highest average live coral cover of relatively recent large-scale coral better understanding about the 48.5 % while the islands have an mortality. A long term study is importance and sensitivity of corals. average of 27.0 %. needed to evaluate their status and shifts and to recognize the causative Through awareness, education S c i ence Corals in the islands of Kayts, Delft, factor if suitable management effective enforcement and regulatory Karainagar and Punkudutivu were strategies are to be identified. measures by imposing government found to be heavily degraded because restrictions on development projects the percentage of dead coral was high. Mitigation is vital near the reefs, it may be possible to We found that corals in the north were Although coral reefs in the Jaffna safeguard the continued existence under severe threat from sewage peninsula seem more resilient to the of this unique natural treasure discharge, destructive fishing practices, effects of climate change than other that lives and thrives in the Jaffna unmanaged resource exploitation, reefs in the country, their survival peninsula. dredging, higher algal cover and depends heavily on human activity. increasing sea surface temperatures. Along the northern coast of Sri Lanka there is a comparatively long All the surveyed reef sites consisted stretch of fringing coral reef which of standing dead corals covered straddles the shore. It is affected by turf algae. Macro algae growth by the emergence of anchoring

Algae dominated coral reef. (Pix by Ashani Arulananthan)

34 LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 Research Team

Ashani Arulananthan (Research fellow) M.Phil in Biotechnology (Reading), Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.

Dr. Venura Herath (Senior lecturer) Department of Agricultural Biology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.

A moderately healthy coral reef Prof. (Mrs). in the Punkudutivu fore reef with S.Kuganathan 42% live coral cover. Head, Department of Fisheries Science, (Pix by Akila Harishchandra) Faculty of Science, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka.

Akila Harishchandra Summary: (PhD candidate) Some of the coral reefs in the University of Maine, USA, Former scientist, shallow areas of the Jaffna National Aquatic Resources Research and peninsula in northern Sri Lanka Development Agency (NARA). are relatively healthier than the coral reefs in the southern and western parts. Some coral reefs such as those in Karainagar and W.A.A. Upasanta Allaipiddy showed excessive Kumara algal growth, may be after severe Senior lecturer, bleaching events in 2016. These Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, two reefs appeared to have Ocean University of Sri Lanka, Tangalle, Sri Lanka. considerable anthropogenic impacts. Other coral reefs around the Jaffna peninsula comprised some bleaching sensitive coral colonies which is an indication that they are protected by thermal water currents. Future research must focus on evaluating surface water current patterns during the two monsoon seasons along with the monitoring of This study is supported by International Coral Reef Society (ICRS) which physico -chemical water quality offered the graduate fellowship. The Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture, parameters and diversity surveys University of Peradeniya provided the research facilitation fund and the in temporal and spatial scale IDEAWILD donation for M.Phil research studies: Corals of the World, Vol.1, in order to understand future 2, 3 (in slip cover), Scuba Diver Underwater Writing Slate, Garmin eTrex 10 trajectories of these coral reefs. Worldwide Handheld GPS Navigator.

LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 35 Science TREES IN THE CATHEDRAL GARDENs

By Jayantha Jayewardene different palm trees and (g) important small shoot near the root, which was timber trees in a wood lot. There are collected by Vimal and planted in a he Anglican around 150 different species and poly bag. When the tree was about Cathedral of more than 600 trees planted in these two and a half feet tall, it was planted Christ the Living premises. close to where the original tree stood. Savior is located The new tree is about 20 feet tall now. on Bauddhaloka Over the years many species of trees This tree grows well in South America. Mawatha which was have been planted in the Cathedral In Sri Lanka it does not get into full once Buller’s Road. gardens, mainly by Mr. Vimal Pieris, bloom, but blooms only in sections. TWhen I was a schoolboy the land on who looked after the gardens for which the Cathedral now stands was over 35 years. This article describes a 2. Roughbark Lignum-Vitae or the yard of Socoman and Co, a French number of the species growing there Gaïacwood (Guaicum officinale): This firm that was working on the Greater now. Since Socoman’s yard had many tree is also called the tree of life. All Colombo water project. There was a heavy vehicles, there was a lot of species of the genus Guaiacum are golf link adjacent to this yard which oil that had drained into the soil and now listed in Appendix II of CITES is where the Bandaranaike Memorial contaminated it. Vimal had to excavate (the Convention on International International Conference Hall (BMICH) this soil from each planting hole, Trade in Endangered Species of Wild now stands. The golf club which was take it away and put in new soil in Fauna and Flora) as a potentially there does not exist anymore and which plants would grow. There still is endangered species. A natural resin the golf links have been built on. The contaminated soil in some areas. can be extracted from the wood. This Cathedral stands on a land area of a little resin has a lubricating quality and 1. Pink Trumpet tree (Tabebuia over 10 acres. It was consecrated on the was used in the shipping industry for avellanedae): This tree was presented 7th of November 1973. the construction of the main bearing by Mrs Smedley, wife of the then in the final drive of the propeller shaft Many species of trees have been British High Commissioner, when of ships. The wood is also resistant planted in the Cathedral gardens. They the Cathedral was first built. At the to salt. It is the fourth-hardest variety have been planted in sections. The beginning the side branches of the of wood as measured by the Janka sections are (a) flowering trees on the tree were trimmed, as a rule, before hardness test. It is the national flower sides of the front lawn and on either the start of the south west monsoon of Jamaica. Members of this genus side of the front entrance (b) medicinal in order to balance the tree and protect have a variety of uses, including trees on the BMICH side continuous to it from wind damage. When this lumber, for medicinal purposes and as the road leading out of the premises balancing was not done, the tree had ornamentals. There are three trees in (c) fruit trees (d) spice trees (e) beverage fallen over and the main tree died the Cathedral garden, also brought by trees such as tea, cocoa, cinnamon (f) as a result. Fortunately, there was a Mrs. Smedley.

36 LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 is now becoming rare in the wild. All the chairs in the Cathedral’s pews are made of Satinwood.

8. Calamander (Diospyros quaesita): It is also called Coromandel. Sinhala: Kalu Medhiriya. The name calamander seems to have been derived from the Sinhala name. Calamander is a species of tree endemic to Sri Lanka. The wood of this tree is black and hard like ebony. It is a beautiful wood since it has streaks of brown mixed with Roughbark Lignum-Vitae Guaicum officinale. black. One tree here is 15 feet tall. This species is on the IUCN list of endangered trees. When the Dutch 3. Rosalee or Indian Rosewood lot of light to grow. The tree in the held the maritime provinces, they (Dalbergia latifolia): Sinhala: Cathedral is 20 feet tall. Kalumara. Tamil: Karunthuvarai, felled a large number of calamander Iraavadi. This tree produces a 5. Kolon (Adina cordifolia): Sinhala: trees to make furniture. hard, durable, heavy wood which Kolon. Tamil: Kadambai. The two when properly cured is durable trees growing here of 30 feet and 20 and resistant to rot and insects. feet were planted by Vimal Pieris. There is a single tree of this species Kolon timber has been used for here. This plant was brought from boat building since it is resistant India by Dr. Vivekanandan, the to marine borer. The juice of the then Silviculturalist of the Forest bark is applied externally to kill Department and given to Vimal worms found in sores. Sometimes Pieris. The Coconut Research the crushed leaf of this tree is used Institute at Lunuwila has a tree of for “nanu” for the Sinhala new year the same species but with a different festival and the leaves are used to form of leaf. These leaves are broader stand on during the traditional oil than those of the single tree in the anointing ceremony. Cathedral. 6. Ath demata (Gmelia arborea). 4. Red sandalwood (Pterocarpus Sinhala: Ath Demata. Tamil: Kumil santalinu): Sinhala: Rath Handun. and Kumalan. Maybe it is called Ath This tree is not indigenous. However, demata since the trunk of the tree there is one tree presented by Lyn resembles the leg of an elephant, as de Alwis, former Director of Wildlife the picture shows. The two trees in and the Zoological Gardens, which he these premises are 50 ft. and 20 ft. had brought from India. This tree is tall. The fruit is used as a dye and the valuable because of the rich red color bark and roots are used for medicinal of its wood. The wood is not aromatic purposes. but has a pleasant smell when 7. Ceylon satinwood (Chloroxylon powdered. Red Sandalwood is used in swietenia): Sinhala: Burutha. Tamil: India in traditional herbal medicine Mutirai, Vaaimaram. Because of its as an antipyretic, anthelmintic tonic, high quality timber, this tree has for dysentery, as an aphrodisiac and been cut down indiscriminately and a diaphoretic. These trees need a Ath demata - Gmelia arborea.

LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 37 9. Diya na (Mesua thwatesii): This dried. This fruit is especially popular taste, with sweet, bitter and pungent tree is endemic to Sri Lanka. In the with bears, which climb the tree secondary tastes. It has a very high d ral gar en s T ree s in the cathe

most recent revision Diya na is and gorge themselves on the fruit. concentration of vitamin C. named Mesua thwaitesii and na as Monkeys, bats, giant squirrels and Mesua ferrea. The stem of the tree civet cats also eat the fruit off the 18. Gammalu (Pterocarpus is separated by protruding vertical tree. When the bears eat the fruit, marsupium): Tamil: Acamai,

S c i ence streaks. The tree here is 15 feet tall. some of it fall onto the ground. These Acanapann. There is one tree in All the parts of this tree are used for are picked by deer, wild boar and the gardens which is 45 feet tall. medicinal purposes. porcupine that cannot climb the tree. The whole gammalu tree is used The fruit is an intoxicant. for medicinal purposes. The resin, 10. Wewarana (Alseodaphne obtained from wounds in the bark, semecarpifolia): Tamil: 14. Spanish cherry - (Mimusops is astringent and is used to make Kanaippirandai. It is a tree endemic elengi): Sinhala: Moonamal. Tamil: incense. It is used in the treatment of to the Western Ghats and Sri Lanka. Magizham Maram. There are two chronic diarrhoea and the irritation This tree is 20 feet tall. It is a trees in the Cathedral gardens, caused by gastric infection and species which is under threat in each about 20 feet tall. Moonamal colitis. Although it has an unpleasant the wild, mainly due to habitat loss. is used in medicine and also as an flavor, it makes a good mouthwash It is found mostly in the Badulla ornamental flowering tree. The fruit and gargle. It is commonly used in area. Wewarana is also called “rani” is edible and is used in traditional cases of toothache and also as a because the timber has a wavy grain medicine. Its timber is valuable. The look to it, resembling a lady’s hair. tree gives a lot of shade and the flowers are fragrant. 11. Helamba (Mitragyna parvifolia): This species is native to India and Sri 15. Aralu (Terminalia chebula) : Lanka. It is used in native medicine Tamil: Kadukkai. The tree in and also for its fine timber. The juice the gardens is 40 feet tall. It is a of the fruit augments breast milk in deciduous tree in that its leaves lactating mothers. Many places in fall off annually. The fruit is used the dry zone are named helamba. as the main ingredient in the (Ex. Helambewa, Helambagaswewa, ayurvedic formulation of triphala, Helamba watta ect). This indicates which is used for kidney and liver that the tree is a part of village life. dysfunctions. Dhobies (launderers) use this stain as an ink to mark 12. Lychee (Litchi chinensis): this clothes. tree is about 20 feet tall. The lychee is native to the Guangdong and 16. Bulu (Terminalia bellirica): Tamil: Fujian provinces in China. It is a Thandri. The tree is 60 feet tall. The popular dessert which is prepared in fruit, seed and stem are used for many forms. Lychee seeds contain medicinal purposes. The wood is methylene cyclopropyl glycine used in heavy construction. The nuts which can cause low blood sugar. of the tree are rounded but have five These trees require a cool and dry flatter sides. climate to bear fruit. 17. Nelli / Medicinal Nelli 13. Ceylon iron wood (Manikara (Phyllanthus emblica): The gardens hexandra): Sinhala: Palu. Tamil: have one tree which is 15 feet tall. All Ulakkaippaalai. There are two trees parts of the plant including the fruit, 30 feet and 15 feet tall in the gardens. seed, leaves, root, bark and flowers When the palu is in fruit in our are used in various ayurvedic jungles many species are attracted medicines and herbal preparations. to it. The fruit can be eaten fresh or The fruit is sour and astringent in Gammalu - Pterocarpus marsupium.

38 LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 douche to treat vaginal discharge. The resin is applied topically in the treatment of skin conditions. The bark is used, either as a powder or in a de coction, in the treatment of diarrhea. A de coction of the bark is very useful for diabetic patients.

The heartwood is considered to be anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, Kalu Habaraliya - Diospyros ferrea. antioxidant and astringent. It is used to treat a range of complaints. construction of doors and window 22. Kalu habaraliya (Diospyros Gammalu is related to Red frames. Various parts of the tree are ferrea): Also known as black ebony, Sandalwood and it is used to make used for medicinal purposes. Milla there is one tree which is 20 feet tall. fake sandalwood powder. timber beams cannot be used as Kalu habaraliya, which belongs to horizontal beams because of its the calamander and ebony family, 19. Milla (Vitex pinnata): Tamil: Nadu. structural strength. It is resistant branches off at a low level. The fruit There are two trees in the compound. to termite attacks and decay and is edible when ripe. It is said to be This wood is very popular for the is used for fence posts etc. where a food consumed during times of exposure to the sun and rain and famine in southern India. The wood contact with the soil is inevitable. is closely-grained, very hard, dense and durable and heavy, but is liable 20. Keta-kela (Bridelia retusa): to split. Tamil: Mullu-Vengai, Adamarudu. The wood of this tree was used 23. Masang (Zizyphus mauritiana): for door and window frames. The Earlier, this tree was confused with unrestricted use of this tree has Ziziphus jujuba. It is an evergreen now made it rare in the wild. People shrub or small tree, which grows up in days gone by made logs from to 15 meters in height with many this tree for use as fence posts drooping branches. The fruit is of since the logs are termite resistant. variable shape and size. In the past, this tree had formed an arch under 21. Ebony (Diospyros ebenum): which newly married couples had Sinhala: Kaluwara. This tree was posed for photographs. planted by Nigel Billimoria and is now 15 feet tall. There is another tree which is eight feet tall. The wood is used for the construction of expensive furniture and for carving. Ebony is an evergreen, slow- growing tree. It is a well- known timber tree and is highly valued for its black wood which is used for furniture making. The wood is very heavy and durable and resistant to fungi and insect attack. The fruits are edible and have medicinal uses. The bark and leaves are used as a blistering plaster.

Masang - Zizyphus mauritiana.

LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 39 24. Dawata (Carallia brachiata): Tamil: Antimiriyam. This tree has d ral gar en s T ree s in the cathe

grown at an angle seeking sunlight because of the shade which has covered it. The juice from the macerated leaves is used in the

S c i ence treatment of fevers. The pulverized bark is rubbed on the body in the treatment of smallpox. The leaves and bark are used in local medicine to treat septic poisoning and itch.

25 Goraka (Garcinia gummi-gutta): This tree has been broken by a falling branch from the Wal dhel tree (see below). Goraka is used as a food preservative. The fruit, bark, root and leaf extracts of Garcinia gummi-gutta are considered suitable for treating several ailments such as gastrointestinal discomfort, rheumatism, obesity, uterine diseases, arthritis, diuresis, ulcers and indigestion. Garcinia gummi- gutta rinds can be blended together with cardamom and sugar and consumed as a soft drink.

26. Wal dhel (Artocarpus nobilis): Wal dhel - Artocarpus nobilis. It is endemic to the south western regions of Sri Lanka. Local people call it "wal dhel”, "baedi dhel" or to increase their fire resistance. "hingala dhel". This tree has been The light brown sapwood is in the gardens from the time the slightly soft. The wood, which land was a Socoman Co. yard. It now is moderately hard and has grows in the middle of the wall that durability under water for around separates the Cathedral grounds and three years, is sometimes used the BMICH. The fruit of the wal dhel for house-building or gunstocks. is edible. It is used in medicine. It is a 28. Mee (Madhuca longifolia): good timber. Tamil: Iluppai. There are two 27. Honda para (Dillenia indica): trees in these gardens. Medicinal Commonly known as elephant apple. oil is extracted from the seeds. The fruits can be rubbed in water to It is cultivated in warm and make soap and the pulp is used as a humid regions for its oleaginous substitute for shampoo for washing seeds, flowers and wood. The fat hair. The juice of the leaf is applied (solid at ambient temperature) is to the scalp to prevent baldness. The used for the care of the skin, to dried leaves are used to polish ivory. manufacture soap or detergents, The wood ash is added to clay bricks Honda and as a vegetable butter. It can para - Dillenia indica. also be used as a fuel oil. The left

40 LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 over from the seed after extraction When the beraliya is in season in the 32. Kohomba (Azadiachta indica): of oil, constitutes a very good Sinharaja forest, villagers come into The whole tree is used in medicine. fertilizer. In India, the flowers are the forest in the morning and collect A non-drying oil extracted from used to produce an alcoholic drink. the fruit which has fallen in the early the seed, called margosa oil, has Several parts of the tree, including morning. Even though this forest is a insecticidal properties. The oil has the bark, are used for their medicinal protected area, villages are allowed to long been produced in Asia on an properties. come and collect beraliya. industrial scale for soaps, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and other non- 29. Dik kekuna / Kekuna (Canarium 31. Beraliya dun (Shorea zeylanica): edible products. The wood is used zeylanicum): This is a species of This species is endemic to Sri Lanka. to make wardrobes, bookcases and flowering plant which is endemic to At a height of 80 feet, it is one of the closets, as well as packing cases Sri Lanka. The tree is harvested from tallest trees in the garden. It is as tall because of its quality as an insect the wild for its gum-resin and edible as a coconut tree growing nearby. repellent. seed, both of which are used locally. In earlier times, it was commonly One tree is about 30 feet tall. found in the Sinharaja forests. The 33. Ruk attana (Alstonia scholaris): bole is straight and cylindrical. It is The whole tree is used for medicinal 30. Beraliya (Shorea cordifolia): There harvested from the wild for its timber purposes. The wood is very light is one tree in the gardens which is and a resin that exudes from the and is used for light construction, 40 feet tall. Beraliya is endemic to trunk. It is used for making plywood. ceilings, pattern making, plywood, Sri Lanka. This tree blooms once This tree has been classified as carving and moldings. In Sri Lanka, every four years. Pittu, a Sinhalese 'critically endangered' in the IUCN Red this wood is also used to make food, is made out of the young fruit. List of Threatened Species (2009) coffins.

Beraliya - Shorea cordifolia. 34. Ruk (Horsfieldia iryaghedhi): 38. Sandalwood (Santalum album): in incense, cosmetics, perfumes, This tree is endemic and critically Sinhala: Suduhandun. The wood and soaps. Used for carvings, the d ral gar en s T ree s in the cathe

endangered. The flowers and bark is heavy, yellow, fine-grained wood is valued because of its dense of this tree are used for medicinal and, unlike many other aromatic character. About one year ago a 20 purposes. The flowers are also used woods, they retain their fragrance foot tall sandalwood tree, about 18” as offerings in temples. The flowers, for decades. Sandalwood oil is in girth, was cut and taken away

S c i ence especially of the male form, are extracted from the wood and is by unknown persons from the extremely fragrant. The male flowers commonly used as a fragrance Cathedral gardens. have the scent of sandalwood. The wood is white to light yellow with red streaks. It is moderately heavy and even-grained. It is used locally for making boats.

35. Domba (Calophyllum inophylum): The whole plant is used in medicine. The wood is used for cart building. The oil, extracted from the seed, can heal wounds. This is why it is used in traditional and modern medicine for a wide range of skin problems. The oil has also shown anti-inflammatory antifungal, antibacterial and insecticidal activity.

36. Gan sooriya (Thespesia populnia): The whole plant is used in medicine. The wood is used for making gun stocks. This tree is valuable as a coastal windbreak because it is highly resistant to wind and salt spray and grows well in sandy, saline soils. Young leaves, raw or cooked, is eaten as a vegetable. The leaves can also be boiled or added to soups. The leaves are also used for wrapping food.

37. Madu (Cycas circinalis): The raw seed is poisonous, but after it is cut into thin slices, dried, then steeped in water for a few minutes and dried again, it becomes edible. It can be used as sago. The use of the seed as food cannot be recommended because of toxicity. The very young leaves are edible.

Suduhandun - Santalum album.

42 LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 Some years ago, five trees growing in these gardens were cut down to construct a meditation area. These five trees were: sappan wood (Caesalpinia sappan), pathangi (Caesalpinia sappan), candlenut tree (Aleurites moluccana), S: thel kekuna/ rata kekuna, olive tree (Olea europae) and hal (Vateria copallifera). The olive plant was brought from Jerusalem by the late Mrs Kusum Weerasinghe. Today, the Cathedral gardens do not have any of these plants.

Acknowledgements: Mr. Vimal Pieris and Mr. Sudath Abeysinghe assisted me to write this article. Vimal has been in charge of these gardens for over 35 years. The luxuriant growth of the many different species seen in the gardens is due to Vimal’s commitment and dedication. Sudath has a Masters Degree in Environment Management and has spent time studying the trees and plants in the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens. All the photographs that appear here were taken by him. Vimal and Sudath helped me to identify the different species growing in the Cathedral gardens. My grateful thanks are due to both of them.

Pix by Sudath Abeysinghe Velvet apple - Diospyros discolor. [email protected], [email protected]

39. Velvet apple (Diospyros discolor): This tree has an edible fruit and a skin covered in a fine, velvety fur, which is usually reddish-brown. The fruit is soft, creamy, has pink flesh, with a taste and aroma comparable to fruit cream cheese. It is native to the Philippines. There is one tree in the Cathedral gardens. It seems to be rare in Sri Lanka.

40. Divi kaduru (Pagiantha dichotoma): The nut of this tree is poisonous but the leaves and bark of the plant are used in indigenous medicine to treat wounds, eye infections, toothache, fistula, snake bite and centipede bites. Divi kaduru – Pagiantha dichotoma.

LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 43 Science

Range extension of the Sicklefin Chimera Neoharriotta pinnata Schnakenbeck,1931 (Chimaeriformes: Rhinochimaeridae) to include Sri Lanka and a note on Sharks in freshwater

By Rex I. De Silva

The sicklefin chimera In the mid-1980s a strange fish was featured on an evening television news broadcast. The accompanying narrative stated that the fish was caught in deep water off Colombo. As the television image was not very clear and showed only the anterior part of the fish (plate 1), I was unable to make a definitive identification but suspected that it was a chimera or ghost shark, possibly a longnosed chimera Harriotta raleighana (De Silva, 2010). Chimeras are cartilaginous fish whose tapered bodies have two dorsal fins, the first of which bears Plate 1: the image of a chimera or ghost shark a poisonous spine at the anterior captured off my television screen in the mid-1980s. end. Chimeras are distantly related to sharks but differ from them in chimeras open to the exterior by a and replaced regularly. Chimeras several respects, for example their single opening on each side. Each take in water for respiration through skulls are fused to the upper jaws opening is protected by a gill cover their rather large nostrils and not and they have separate urinary or operculum. They possess three through the mouths as sharks and genital openings. Unlike pairs of permanent grinding tooth and most fish do. They propel sharks which have several gill plates unlike sharks which have themselves by the sculling action openings on each side, the gills of numerous teeth which are shed of their pectoral fins. Male chimeras

44 LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 possess paired reproductive organs In mid-April 2019 Dallas Martenstyn only representative of the Order known as claspers (myxopterygia), sent me some images of a strange Chimaeriformes documented from but unlike sharks which have one fish which was found floating in the Sri Lanka to date. pair, chimeras bear two pairs, one sea off the Kalpitiya/Alanankuda pair of which is retractable. Males area (plates 2 and 3). David Ebert Significantly, the sicklefin chimera also have on their heads a retractable identified it as a sicklefin chimera collected by Martenstyn was floating secondary reproductive organ known Neoharriotta pinnata. Ebert informed dead on the sea surface. This is as a tentaculum by which they hold me that he had seen some of these enigmatic, as most selachians are the female in place for mating. Like strange fish in markets which he negatively buoyant and will sink sharks they use electro-location for visited on the east coast in 2018. when dead. David Ebert (pers. comm) detecting prey. Chimeras are also He notes that the species occurs states that the liver of this species known as ghost sharks, spookfish, off South India where it is not is very oily, hence, I suggest it is elephant fish, rat fish and rabbit fish, uncommon. The sicklefin chimera possible that this factor could make but note that the last two should occurs in schools usually at depths the fish positively buoyant as the oil not be confused with the bony fish of 150 – 500m. Ebert considers that in most selachian livers is of lower (Pisces) bearing the same names. the fish in plate 1 is also a sicklefin density than sea water. Hopefully The ultimate fate of the specimen chimera. This is the first documented future studies will cast more light featured on television remains a record of the species in Sri Lankan on this. It is perhaps relevant to note mystery as, despite several attempts, seas. To the best of my knowledge that recent research has shown I was unable to locate it. the sicklefin chimera is also the that two species of selachians

Plates 2 & 3: a sicklefin chimera. (Pix by Dallas Martenstyn)

LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 45 ater

viz. the broadnose sixgill shark return to the sea with the receding Sri Lankan seas (Fernando, 2014), this Hexanchus griseus and prickly tide. The discussion which follows is the first confirmed record of the shark Echinorhinus cookei are therefore deals with sharks which species in freshwater from the island. also positively buoyant. Both these have been unequivocally reported Bull sharks are known to occur along species are present in Sri Lankan from freshwater. most tropical and subtropical coasts anka an d a note on Shark s in fre h w seas (De Silva and Gunasekera 2013, and in rivers such as the Ganges, De Silva, 2015, 2019,). During the last few years images of Hoogly, Zambezi, Limpopo, Amazon, sharks in Sri Lankan rivers, especially and now, Sri Lanka’s Menik Ganga. Sharks in freshwater the Menik Ganga, have appeared They also occupy large freshwater A caveat is in order when discussing on the internet and elsewhere (plate bodies such as lakes Nicaragua, the subject of sharks in fresh water. 4). I had earlier listed five marine Macquarie, Swan etc., ae) to inclu d e Sri L During high and especially spring species which could possibly inhabit tides, salt water can intrude some freshwater bodies in Sri Lanka, but for I recently also examined the image distance upriver and when such tides which there were no records at the of another small shark in the Menik occur during periods of drought the time (De Silva, 2014). One of these was Ganga. The image was not sufficiently intrusion can be extensive enabling the bull shark Carcharhinus leucas. clear for positive identification but many marine species, including the shark, in general, resembled two In March 2019 a professional sharks, to move considerable marine species, the blacktip shark television crew captured some distances up a river system. However, C. limbatus and graceful shark images of a shark in the Menik these sharks cannot be considered C. amblyrhynchoides (plate 6). I have Ganga. The images were referred to as freshwater creatures since they been unable to find any reference in me and I copied these to David Ebert confine themselves to the seawater the scientific literature to suggest that who identified the individual as a intrusion and do not enter freshwater blacktip sharks enter freshwater in Sri juvenile bull shark. Although bull farther upriver, furthermore they Lanka or elsewhere, however graceful sharks (plate 5) have been recorded in sharks have recently been recorded in innata Schnakenbeck,1931 ( C himaeriforme s : R hinochimaeri d p innata R ange exten s ion of the Sicklefin C himera N eoharriotta

Plate 4: a shark in Menik Ganga. (Pic by Nilushan Wijesinghe) S c i ence

46 LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 the East Godvari river in India (Anon Note 6) from my book ‘The Sharks of Sri 2019). This raises the question as to Although I have examined pictures Lanka’ are published courtesy of the whether the shark in Menik Ganga of the juvenile bull shark and the Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka could possibly be a graceful shark. ‘unknown’ shark; it is regretted that (FOGSL). Nevertheless, as a specimen or clear the images cannot be included in References image is unavailable it is not possible to this article on account of copyright provide a definitive answer at present. It restrictions. Anon 2019. Ocean for Sharks – is therefore best that the identity of this featured species: Pondicherry shark shark be treated as ‘unknown’. Acknowledgements (Carcharhinus hemiodon). https:// I am grateful to Dallas Martenstyn oceanforsharks.com/2018/12/28/ for his excellent photographs of the featured-species-pondicherry- sicklefin chimera (plates 2 & 3). I also shark-carcharhinus-hemiodon/?fb thank David Ebert for identifying the clid=IwAR2ILsg5IKYy0SG9ctLDgu- sicklefin chimaera and juvenile bull KM5r5a6P2ryMUm2wXVAB7JkYxJQ_ shark from the images I sent him. I MsDJVmtM am grateful to Nadika Hapuarachchi (Accessed 24 July 2019). for sending me pictures of the juvenile bull shark for identification De Silva, R. I. 2010. Selachian notes purposes and Nilushan Wijesinghe from Sri Lanka. Loris 25(6): 47-48. for his image of a shark in freshwater (plate 4). I thank Devsiri Pieris for De Silva, R. I. 2014. The Pondicherry Plate 6. Blacktip shark (top) permitting me to include his image Shark Carcharinus hemiodon in graceful shark (below). Are either of a large bull shark (plate 5). Finally, Marine and Freshwater habitats in Sri of these the unknown species Jayantha Jinasena’s paintings (plate Lanka. Loris 27 (1 & 2) 46-48. from Menik Ganga? De Silva, R. I. and J. Jinasena. 2015. The Sharks of Sri Lanka. Colombo. Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka.

De Silva, R. I. 2019. Some aspects of shark biology and behaviour with examples from Sri Lanka. Loris 28 (5) 43-47.

De Silva, R.I. and N. Gunasekera. 2013. First record of a Prickly Shark Echinorhinus cookei Pietschmann, 1928 from the Indian Ocean including Sri Lanka. Loris 26(5 and 6): 55-56

Ebert, D. A., S. Fowler, L. J. V. Compagno and M. Dando. (2013). Sharks of the World. A fully illustrated guide. Plymouth. Wild Nature Press.

Fernando, D. 2014. Range Extension of the Bull Shark Carcharhinus leucas (Carcharhiniformes: Carcharhinidae) to include Sri Lanka. Loris 27 (1 & 2) 26-27

[email protected] Plate 5: a bull shark. (Pic by Devsiri Pieris)

LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 47 THE SOCIO-ECOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE OF MAHAMODARA LAKE, THE MANGROVE ECOSYSTEM ALONG KEPPU ELA AND THE WAKWELLA MARSH

By Hemantha Seneviratne This is a true story which was found among written records (RCG, n the dawn of the past century, 1989). It is an example of how, in the in the 1920s, a man called bygone era, the law was enforced Siriniyas was eating an orange against polluters of the environment. near the Old Dutch Canal called But today, a part of Keppu Ela has ‘Keppu Ela’ which flows close become yet another canal of waste. to the Galle Railway Station. He The water is not clear any more, was enjoying the beauty of the but dark and oily instead. The Icrystal clear water flowing upstream, unpleasant odor irritates the tourists and the high tidal waves coming who visit the ancient city of Galle. from the sea from the direction of the Unfortunately and strangely today, Butterfly Bridge. The peel of the orange, it has become a challenge to protect which was eaten by Siriniyas, was thrown the part of this canal which is still into the canal. The man was caught by intact and which is now a tourist the police, produced in court and fined five attraction in Galle, from the state shillings for polluting the canal. authorities!

48 LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 Wakwella Marsh is an area in the Gin Ganga river basin which consists of marshy land and paddy fields that are rich in biodiversity. It also plays a major role in controlling floods as two dams have been created along either side of the Gin Ganga for this purpose.

Municipal waste dump of the Galle Municipal Council.

Keppu Ela is a canal which was connects the two abovementioned established during the Dutch parts of the canal at Mahamodara era for transportation. The main Lake and Minuwangoda, close to portion of this canal is connected the Galle Railway Station. to the Gin Ganga, a medium sized river in the southern province, to Although the sections from Beekke Holuwagoda Ela in Wakwella and to Samanala Bridge and from to the Mahamodara Lake in Galle, Minuwangoda to Mahamodara Lake from where it flows into the sea. are polluted and of no significance for biodiversity, the section from Another part of this canal runs Mahamodara Lake (including the Whistling teals landing at from the Beekke Reservoir in Galle lake) to Wakwella is attractive Wakwella Marsh. to meet the sea at Samanala Bridge scenery, fringed with a mangrove near the Galle Fort and the Galle habitat along both banks and rich Land use, activities and status Railway Station. Another section in species diversity. The entire area consists of private lands used mainly for residential and agricultural purposes. However, the vegetation along the canal is protected by the owners to prevent erosion of their lands into the canal. As a result, the canal has now become a tourist attraction in Galle and several boats have been deployed by private owners to transport foreigners along the canal. Many fishermen earn a livelihood by fishing in the lake and in the canal. Others collect kirala (Sonneratia sp.) fruits to sell or to make a traditional drink to sell in nearby restaurants. Villagers used to collect lotus flowers from the Wakwella Marsh to sell near temples.

Keppu Ela meets Mahamodara Lake at Wekunagoda – near the Galle Municipal Council waste dump.

LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 49 (including Mahamodara Lake), flora are commonly found along for which they received several both banks of the lake and the awards and the government canal. These trees and plants provide had allocated funds to the Galle habitat for many species of fauna. Municipal Council to clean the polluted sections (described in Birds: 134 species of birds have the introduction section of this been observed by the author of document) of the canal (RCG this article in the area including 1989). The Wakwella Marsh is also 39 migratory species and six included as a counting site in the species endemic to Sri Lanka. Ten annual International Waterfowl species are identified as nationally A boat ride in the Keppu Ela has now Census which is conducted globally vulnerable (VU), Near Threatened became a recreational activity for by Wetlands International as it is an (NT) or Critically Endangered (CR) both locals and foreigners. important waterfowl habitat in the in the IUCN National Red List Galle district. Reports on sightings of (MOE 2012). A further two species, Several micro entrepreneurs important birds have been published those with breeding populations ara lakew ella the mangrove eco s y tem along K e pp u elamar h an d the Wak operate small restaurants and in Ceylon Bird Club Notes since the in the area, have been identified guest houses in the Wakwella 1990s. The area has been studied for as globally Near Threatened (NT) Marsh. A leading Sri Lankan hotel some other purposes on a number although they have been listed as chain operates a cabana resort as of occasions (MODM&HR, MOI&WM Least Concerned (LC) nationally. The an ecotourism project adjoining 2009), (RDA 2016). However, no Ceylon frogmouth (Batrachostomus the Keppu Ela. It demonstrates the records on the ecological importance moniliger) is not found in this area potential of this area to develop of this area was found in these at present, but has been included as an ecotourism zone as well, reports. in the list of birds since the first without disturbing the existing specimen of this bird had been biodiversity. Biodiversity in Mahamodara Lake, collected in Mahamodara in the Keppu Ela and Wakwella Marsh 1880s (Legge 1880). This bird is The intake point and the National Flora: Several mangrove plant now recorded only in forests and Water Supply and Drainage Board’s species such as Nypa fruticans, the absence of the bird in the area water treatment plant which Sonneratia caseolaris, Rhizophora is an example of understanding ortance of M ahamo d T he s ocio-ecological im p ortance provides the water supply to the the importance of maintaining apiculate and Aegiceras Galle area including the Galle town corniculatum, many mangrove the natural habitat in the area to is also located in Wakwella. associate trees and other riverine support biodiversity. History of research, studies and documentary evidence of environmental importance During the period 1987 – 1990, the Environmental Pioneer Brigade of Richmond College, Galle, had conducted a study on Keppu Ela and Parana Ela in Galle

Mangroves. Mangrove associates.

50 LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 Paddyfield pipit on a footpath in the Reptiles: The Asian water monitor canal. Currently the government is Wakwella Marsh. and the monitor lizard are very constructing walls on either side of all common in the area. There are canals in Galle and the canal banks several species of snakes including are developing into jogging tracks. the green vine snake and python. This is acceptable for the already The Indian pond terrapin (Near polluted canals with no biodiversity Threatened) is also common in the value. But a canal of this nature with area. a high biodiversity is an asset to the country and the above-mentioned Fish fauna: The entire area has a project will destroy this ecosystem great significance for the fish fauna. entirely. The canal considered for this As the Mahamodara Lake meets the study is excluded from this project, Black winged stilt in the sea in the Mahamodara area in Galle, but if this is included in the project in Wakwella Marsh. and several fish species in coral reefs the future, there will be impacts on and in the shallow sea breed in the the livelihoods of the native people Butterflies: A total of 56 species of mangrove ecosystems, many marine and will also affect the marine fauna butterflies have been identified in the fish are found in the Lake and Keppu since the spawning grounds of many area including two species which Ela during spawning seasons. The coastal and brackish water dwelling are endemic. entire area is rich in several native as fish will be completely destroyed. well as introduced fish and as a result It will also severely affect the crabs Eighteen species of Mammals: many fishermen in the area earn and other invertebrates living in this mammals inhabit the marsh. The their livelihood from the wetland. environment. mangrove forest along Keppu Ela is the habitat for a large population of Other fauna: The marsh is rich A wasteland that the Galle Municipal the endemic and endangered purple in other types of fauna including Council dumps municipal solid waste faced leaf monkey. It also provides crabs, moths, dragonflies, mollusks in, is also located close to where the habitat for the globally vulnerable and invertebrates but they are not Keppu Ela connects the Mahamodara fishing cat, the near threatened properly studied. Lake. The waste dump disrupts the European otter and the giant squirrel. scenery, increases the spread of Threats The destruction or fragmentation of invasive animals such as rats, flies and this habitat can increase the human- The area is not protected by law stray dogs, and also pollutes the water. wildlife conflicts as the monkeys although permanent construction Kirala trees around Mahamodera Lake and porcupines can move into is not allowed within a five meter were observed to have died, and the agricultural lands. reservation of the banks of the changes in water chemistry could be a reason for this die-back.

Die-back of kirala trees on the banks Other riverine vegetation. of the Mahamodara Lake.

LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 51 Conclusion List of birds observed in the Mahamodara Lake, Keppu Although the birds, butterflies and mammals in the Ela and Wakwella Marsh area are listed in this document, the mangrove flora, IUCN Red List status: CR – Critically Endangered, EN – fishes, amphibians, reptiles, crabs and other invertebrates Endangered, NT – Near Threatened, VU - Vulnerable have not been properly documented. Understanding the importance of this habitat as a mangrove ecosystem 1. White-tailed tropicbird Phaethon lepturus and especially as breeding habitats for many marine and 2. Red-billed tropicbird Phaethon aethereus brackish water fishes needs further research. It will be 3. Little cormorant Phalacrocorax niger prudent to promote conservation and further research on this unique habitat which is close to Galle town. 4. Indian shag Phalacrocorax fuscicollis (Pix by Hasitha Perera, Nimesha Dhanasekara and 5. Indian darter Anhinga melanogaster Hemantha Seneviratne) NT (Globally) Reference 6. Little egret Egretta garzetta Legge W V (1880). A History of the Birds of Ceylon (2nd 7. Large egret Egretta alba ed, 1990). Thisara Prakasakayo Limited, Colombo. 8. Median egret Egretta intermedia

Ministry of Disaster Management and Human Rights, 9. Grey heron Ardea cinerea Ministry of Irrigation and Water Management (2009) 10. Purple heron Ardea purpurea Comprehensive study on Disaster Management in Sri 11. Cattle egret Bubulcus coromandus Lanka Final Report. Ministry of Disaster Management 12. Indian pond heron Ardeola grayii and Human Rights, Ministry of Irrigation and Water 13. Little green heron Butorides striatus

ara lakew ella the mangrove eco s y tem along K e pp u elamar h an d the Wak Management. 14. Night heron Nycticorax nycticorax NT MOE (2012). The National Red List 2012 of Sri Lanka; Conservation Status of the Fauna and Flora. Ministry of 15. Yellow bittern Ixobrychus sinensis NT Environment, Colombo, Sri Lanka. 16. Black bittern Dupetor flavicollis 17. Openbill Anastomus oscitans Richmond College Galle (1989) Unpublished. Environmental Pollution in Keppu Ela and Parana Ela in 18. White ibis Threskiornis Galle (Sinhala): Project report by Environmental Pioneer melanocephalus NT Brigade of Richmond College, Galle. (Globally) 19. Lesser whistling teal Dendrocygna javanica Road Development Authority (2016). Asian Development 20. Garganey Anas querquedula Bank Funded Integrated Road Investment Program iROAD – Southern Province – Annual Environmental 21. Crested honey buzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus NT Monitoring Report. Road Development Authority. 22. Brahminy kite Haliaster indus

ortance of M ahamo d T he s ocio-ecological im p ortance 23. White-bellied sea eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster

24. Crested serpent eagle Spilornis cheela 25. Shikra Accipiter badius 26. Crested hawk eagle Spizaetus cirrhatus 27. Indian peafowl Pavo cristatus 28. Bustard-quail Turnix suscitator 29. Slatey-breasted rail Rallus striatus VU 30. White-breasted waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus 31. Watercock Gallicrex cinerea NT 32. Purple coot Porphyrio poliocephalus

52 LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 33. Common moorhen Gallinula chloropus 70. Edible-nest swift Aerodramus unicolor 34. Pheasant-tailed jacana Hydrophasianus 71. Palm swift Cypsiurus balasiensis chirurgus 72. House swift Apus affinis 35. Painted snipe Rostratula benghalensis 73. Crested tree swift Hemiprocne coronata 36. Asiatic golden plover Pluvialis fulva 74. Common kingfisher Alcedo atthis 37. Lesser sand plover Charadrius mongolus 75. Stork-billed kingfisher Pelargopsis capensis 38. Red-wattled lapwing Vanellus indicus 76. White-breasted kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis 39. Pintail snipe Gallinago stenura 77. Pied kingfisher Ceryle rudis 40. Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus 78. Blue-tailed bee-eater Merops philippinus 41. Common redshank Tringa totanus 79. Chestnut-headed bee-eater Merops leschenaulti 42. Marsh sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis 80. Indian roller Coracias benghalensis 43. Wood sandpiper Tringa glareola 81. Brown-headed barbet Megalaima zeylanica 44. Common sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 82. Ceylon small barbet (E) Megalaima rubricapillus 45. Turnstone Arenaria interpres 83. Pygmy woodpecker Dendrocopos nanus 46. Black-winged stilt Himantopus himantopus 84. Lesser yellow-naped Picus chlorolophus NT 47. Indian stone curlew Burhinus indicus woodpecker 48. Gull-billed tern Gelochelidon nilotica 85. Red-backed woodpecker (E) Dinopium benghalense 49. Bridled tern Sterna anaethetus CR 86. Indian pitta Pitta brachyuran 50. Sooty tern Sterna fuscata CR 87. Common swallow Hirundo rustica 51. Whiskered tern Chlidonias hybrida 88. Ceylon swallow (E) Hirundo hyperythra 52. Brown noddy Anous stolidus 89. Forest wagtail Dendronanthus indicus 53. Spotted dove Streptopelia chinensis 90. Yellow wagtail Motacilla flava 54. Emerald dove Chalcophaps indica 91. Grey wagtail Motacilla cinerea 55. Ceylon green pigeon (E) Treron pompadora 92. Indian pipit Anthus rufulus 56. Green imperial pigeon Ducula aenea 93. Large cuckoo-shrike Coracina macei 57. Ceylon lorikeet (E) Loriculus beryllinus 94. Black-headed cuckoo- Coracina melanoptera 58. Alexandrine parakeet Psittacula eupatria shrike 59. Rose-ringed parakeet Psittacula krameri 95. Small minivet Pericrocotus cinnamomeus 60. Common coucal Centropus [sinensis] parroti 96. Orange minivet Pericrocotus flammeus 61. Red-winged crested cuckoo Clamator coromandus 97. Ceylon wood shrike (E) Tephrodornis affinis 62. Indian koel Eudynamys scolopaceus 98. Indian paradise Terpsiphone paradisi flycatcher paradisi 63. Indian plaintive cuckoo Cacomantis passerinus 99. Ceylon paradise Terpsiphone paradisi 64. Small cuckoo Cuculus poliocephalus flycatcher ceylonensis 65. Collared scops owl Otus bakkamoena 100. White-browed fantail Rhipidura aureola 66. Brown fish owl Ketupa zeylonensis 101. Red-vented bulbul Pycnonotus cafer 67. Brown hawk-owl Ninox scutulata 102. White-browed bulbul Pycnonotus luteolus 68. Ceylon frogmouth Batrachostomus moniliger 103. Common iora Aegithina tiphia 69. Indian nightjar Caprimulgus asiaticus 104. Gold-fronted chloropsis Chloropsis aurifrons

LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 53 105. Jerdon's chloropsis Chloropsis jerdoni List of butterflies 106. Brown shrike Lanius cristatus cristatus (E) – Endemic 107. Brown flycatcher Muscicapa dauurica 1. Troides darsius Sri Lanka birdwing (E) 108. Layard’s flycatcher Muscicapa muttui 2. Pachliopta hector Crimson rose 109. Magpie-robin Copsychus saularis 3. Pachliopta aristolochiae Common rose 110. Black robin Saxicoloides fulicatus 4. Papilio demoleus Lime butterfly 111. White-throated babbler Dumetia hyperythra 5. Papilio polytes Common mormon 112. Black-fronted babbler Rhopocichla atriceps 6. Papilio polymnestor Blue mormon 113. Southern common babbler Turdoides affinis 7. Papilio clytia Mime 114. Streaked fantail warbler Cisticola juncidis 8. Graphium sarpedon Bluebottle 115. Common tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius 9. Graphium doson Common jay 116. Blyth’s reed warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum 10. Graphium agamemnon Tailed jay 117. Green leaf warbler Phylloscopus nitidus 11. Leptosia nina Psyche 118. Velvet-fronted nuthatch Sitta frontalis 12. Delias eucharis Jezebel 119. Tickell’s flowerpecker Dicaeum erythrorhynchos 13. Appias galene Lesser albatross (E) 120. Purple-rumped sunbird Leptocoma zeylonica 14. Catopsilia pyranthe Mottled emigrant 121. Loten’s sunbird Cynnyris lotenius 15. Catopsilia pomona Lemon emigrant 122. Small white-eye Zosterops palpebrosus 16. Eurema hecabe Common grass yellow ara lakew ella the mangrove eco s y tem along K e pp u elamar h an d the Wak 123. White-rumped munia Lonchura striata 17. Ideopsis similis Blue glassy tiger 124. Spotted munia Lonchura punctulata 18. Parantica aglea Glassy tiger 125. Black-headed munia Lonchura malacca 19. Danaus chrysippus Plain tiger 126. House sparrow Passer domesticus 20. Danaus genutia Common tiger 127. Striated weaver Ploceus manyar 21. Euploea core Common crow 128. Rosy starling Sturnus roseus 22. Euploea klugii Brown king crow 129. Common myna Acridotheres tristis 23. Cupha erymanthis Rustic 130. Black-headed oriole Oriolus xanthornus 24. Phalanta phalantha Leopard 131. White-bellied drongo Dicrurus caerulescens 25. Kaniska canace Blue admiral insularis 26. Junonia lemonias Lemon pansy 132. Ashy swallow-shrike Artamus fuscus 27. Junonia atlites Grey pansy 133. House crow Corvus splendens ortance of M ahamo d T he s ocio-ecological im p ortance 28. Junonia iphita Chocolate soldier

134. Jungle crow Corvus [macrorhyncos] 29. Junonia almana Peacock pansy culminatus 30. Hypolimnas bolina Great eggfly 31. Hypolimnas misippus Danaid eggfly 32. Neptis hylas Common sailor 33. Neptis jumbah Chestnut streaked sailor 34. Moduza procris Commander 35. Euthalia aconthea Baron 36. Acraea violae Tawny coster 37. Discophora lepida Southern duffer

54 LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 38. Melanitis leda Common evening brown Mammals in Mahamodara, Keppu ela and Wakwella 39. Orsotriaena medus Nigger Marsh 40. Mycalesis patnia Gladeye bushbrown (E) – Endemic EN – Endangered, NT – Near Threatened, VU - 41. Ypthima ceylonica White four-ring Vulnerable 42. Elymnias hypermnestra Common palmfly 1. Purple-faced langur (E) Semnopithecus vetulus EN 43. Loxura atymnus Yamfly 2. Indian porcupine Hystrix indica 44. Nacaduba hermus Pale four lineblue 3. Giant squirrel Ratufa macroura NT 45. Prosotas nora Common lineblue 4. Indian palm squirrel Funambulus palmarum 46. Prosotas dubiosa Tailless lineblue 5. Lesser bandicoot rat Bandicota bengalensis 47. Jamides celeno Common cerulean 6. Little Indian field mouse Mus booduga 48. Catochrysops panormus Silver forget-me-not 7. House mouse Mus musculus 49. Castalius rosimon Common pierrot 8. Indian hare Lepus nigricollis 50. Talicada nyseus Red pierrot 9. Greater short-nosed fruit bat Cynopterus sphinx 51. Everes lacturnus Indian cupid 10. Indian flying fox Pteropus giganteus 52. Abisara echerius Plum judy 11. Leschenault's rousette Rousettus leschenaulti 53. Ampittia dioscorides Bush hopper 12. Fishing cat Prionailurus viverrinus VU 54. Suastus gremius Indian palm bob 13. Asian palm civet Paradoxurus 55. Spialia galba Indian skipper hermaphroditus 56. Pelopidas mathias Small branded swift 14. Small Indian civet Viverricula indica 15. Indian gray mongoose Herpestes edwardsii 16. Indian brown mongoose Herpestes fuscus 17. Ruddy mongoose Herpestes smithii 18. European otter Lutra lutra NT

LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 55 Interview are we doing enough for biodiversity conservation?

Dr. Sriyanie Miththapala has more than 25 years of experience in biodiversity conservation. “I strongly believe that conservation will only be effective if the public is made aware of issues threatening Sri Lanka’s natural wealth and engages in activities to address these problems”, she says. Not surprisingly, therefore, she is passionate about raising awareness about biodiversity conservation and engages with the general public by writing books and newspaper articles and conducts lectures, talks and discussions on the subject. Dr. Miththapala graduated from the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka with a degree in Biology and went on to obtain an MA in Biology from Smith College, Massachusetts, USA. Her PhD is in Wildlife and Range Sciences from the University of Florida, Gaineseville, USA. She is presently a consultant to the Sri Lanka Country Office of International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and has also carried out assignments for the UNDP, UNISDR and FAO. She is currently a commission member of IUCN’s Commission on Communication and Education, as well as the Commission on Ecosystem Management. She has been a visiting lecturer at the Universities of Colombo and Sri Jayawardenapura and was Principal of Ladies’ College, Colombo from 1998-2003.

56 LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 The loss of biodiversity will have impacts on how ecosystems function and in turn, affect ecosystem services. When ecosystem services are affected, human well- being is also affected.

Dr. Sriyanie Miththapala.

1. What is the current state of experiencing the impacts of climate Article 28 (f) states that it is the duty Sri Lanka’s biodiversity? change. We have over 1,300 species of every person ‘to protect nature We have some 35% of the of threatened flora and over 1,200 and conserve its riches.’ In addition, land area under some level of species of threatened fauna. we have some 30 state organisations protection. We have a wide range and 15 laws directly involved in the 2.How can we safeguard our natural of ecosystems, among which is a conservation of biodiversity in Sri heritage? Do we have the legal variety of species, many of which Lanka — including the Fauna and framework to do it? are endemic and are not found Flora Protection Ordinance No. 22 anywhere else in the world. Yet, Protection of the environment is in of 2009, the Forest Conservation we have habitat destruction and Sri Lanka’s Constitution. According Ordinance Act No. 65 of 2009, and the degradation, overexploitation of to Article 27 (14) of the Constitution National Environmental Act No. 53 natural resources, pollution, invasive the ‘State shall protect, preserve and of 2000. Our legal framework for the alien species spreading in various improve the environment for the conservation of biodiversity is more parts of the country and we are benefit of the community.’ Further, than adequate. Unfortunately, these laws are not implemented properly.

LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 57 TEN QUESTIONS EACH INDIVIDUAL SHOULD ASK ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION 1. Am I taking from the food in rigifoam lunch boxes? Am I b) Do I cut down trees unnecessarily? environment the bare using paper and plastic crockery and c) If I have to cut down a tree because minimum? (Am I reducing use?) cutlery instead of ceramic crockery and metal cutlery? Am I using plastic it is diseased, do I make an effort to a) Is my cupboard full of clothes that I drinking straws? plant another? don’t wear and don’t really need? 3. Am I reusing products d) Do I use pesticides or do I encourage b) Do I buy things because I really need natural predators such as lizards and effectively? them/ just because they happen to coucals (Sinhala: Ati kukula, Tamil: be cheap/ because everybody else a) Do I throw away envelopes without Chempakam) to keep control of pests? has them? reusing them? e) Has my garden any invasive alien c) When I buy things, am I also buying b) Do I throw away wrapping paper species? unnecessary packaging? without reusing it?

ervation? are w e d oing enough for bio iver s ity con ervation? f) Are the surrounds of my house as d) When I buy things, am I buying too c) Do I use only one side of the paper clean as the inside of my house? much plastic? How many single use and then throw it away? ‘siri siri’ shopping bags, plastic drink/ 8. Am I buying or keeping things 4. Am I recycling effectively? water bottles do I buy a week? Can I that are illegal? cut down on that quantity by using a) What do I do with glass, plastic, a) Do I know what kind of pets/plants I In t e rvi w cloth bags/cane or reed baskets/ re aluminium, newspaper and paper can have legally? using glass bottles? that collects in my house? b) Do I still buy ivory, shells, coral, turtle e) Am I conscious about reducing b) What do I do with vegetable refuse, coconut refuse and shells, egg shells, shells and protected animal fur? Do I energy use — do I put out lights, fans coffee grinds and tea leaves, garden buy natural products without checking and air conditioners when I am not in refuse? first whether it is legal to do so? the room? Do I use energy (and cost) saving bulbs? Do I make several daily 5. Am I polluting the air? c) When I go abroad, do I bring trips in vehicles without planning my a) Is my car/motorcycle performing at untreated cuttings and plants parts marketing? Do I boil food in a large optimum efficiency? to grow in my garden? Do I know volume of water in open saucepans what natural products I am allowed or do I use the minimum quantity of b) Do I make a bonfire with garden to bring in and take out of the water and a closed pan? waste instead of composting it? country, and if so, what procedures I must follow to do so? f) Am I conscious about reducing the c) Do I use aerosols containing use of water? Do I ignore leaking chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in my 9. Am I consciously using taps? Do I leave water running when house? environmentally friendly I brush my teeth? Do I leave water material in my home? running when I soap myself in the d) Do I use artificial air fresheners? shower? Do I leave water running a) Do I use potted plants instead of cut when I wash dishes? 6. Am I polluting water? flowers or plastic flowers to decorate a) Do I use artificial fertiliser instead of my home? 2. Am I putting back into the organic manure? environment the bare minimum b) Do I use natural air fresheners such as fresh flowers instead of air of waste? (Am I reducing waste?) b) Do I use cleaning agents in my house that have harmful chemicals in them? fresheners to freshen the air; or can I a) Am I using too much paper? not simply open a window? c) When I am compelled to call in a pest b) Am I using disposable nappies for control service, do I know what kinds c) Do I favour ceramic, wood and glass my baby even when I could be using of chemicals they use? Do I take over plastic? cloth nappies? the trouble to ask for non-persistent 10. Am I telling others about c) Am I collecting waste effectively: i.e., pyrethrum products which is the conserving the environment? am I separating biodegradable from least harmful option? non-biodegradable waste? a) How many people can I teach to 7. Am I improving the state of the appreciate the Earth? d) Am I using non-biodegradable environment? b) How many people can I influence materials unnecessarily? Am I a) Do I dispose of household waste with to change their habits to minimise buying plastic mega bottles when I civic and environmental consideration damage to the environment? could buy glass bottles? Am I buying or do I dump it on the road?

58 LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 A garbage dump on the Dambulla Bakamuna road. (Pic by Luxshmanan Nadaraja)

We have over 3.Does garbage and pollution affect It is now well established that single- 1,300 species the biodiversity of Sri Lanka? use plastics and other plastics, Garbage is solid waste pollution. disposed of carelessly, have damaging of threatened impacts on terrestrial and marine life. flora and The Millennium Ecosystem For example recently, a dead sperm over 1,200 Assessment, a global assessment whale (Physeter macrocephalus) species of of the state of the Earth, which was found on a Scottish beach, had in threatened carried out between 2001 and 2005, its stomach, a 100 kilogramme ‘litter involved 1360 scientists from 95 ball’ of plastic (including fishing fauna. countries. It focused on developing and nets, plastic packing, plastic bags presenting a framework which clearly and plastic cups); and a dead deer linked all the services that ecosystems in Thailand was found with seven provided for human well-being and kilogrammes of plastic in its stomach. it showed explicitly, that humans are integral to ecosystems. It also Plastic fragmented into tiny bits identified five major anthropogenic — called microplastics — are also threats to ecosystems or drivers of dangerous to marine life. Plankton, ecosystem change. These are listed in fish, turtles and even birds mistake italics in the answer to question 1. these floating bits of plastic for food. Then, they cannot digest the plastic Pollution, as seen in the answer to and die. question 1, is certainly a major driver of the loss of our biological heritage.

In terms of garbage, apart from the lack of proper disposal of solid waste by local authorities, reduction, recycling and re-using are not yet integral to our daily lives.

LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 59 ervation? are w e d oing enough for bio iver s ity con ervation?

In t e rvi w

Water Hyacinth clogging up a waterway, Batticaloa. (Pic by Sriyanie Miththapala)

4. What is the role of biodiversity and non-point source pollution in sustaining and maintaining the (such as agrochemicals, as well as quality of our livelihoods? urban and industrial runoff from The loss of biodiversity will have inland, which is carried by rivers impacts on how ecosystems function into estuaries or with surface runoff and in turn, affect ecosystem to lagoons). High suspended solids, services. When ecosystem services added by point source pollution, are affected, human well-being is can block respiration in aquatic life. also affected. When large quantities of nitrogen and phosphorous are added through Take the example of lagoons and non-point source pollution, it leads to estuaries. They support about 2% of eutrophication — an over-enrichment our population (that is about 500,000 of the water — which results in people). It has been estimated that the rapid growth of macro algae. the income from fisheries from these The growth of macro algae in turn, two types of coastal ecosystems is prevents sunlight from reaching more than five billion rupees. down through the column of water, again affecting the aquatic life below. Yet, both lagoons and estuaries are under threat from many human When there are changes in the actions. Let’s look at two of these water quantity upstream such threats. These are: changes in water as hydrological alterations — for quality from point source pollution example dams and diversion (such as shrimp farming, which upstream that reduce the amount releases effluents with high levels of fresh water reaching these of suspended solids and chemicals) ecosystems — salinity increases.

60 I believe strongly In contrast, when forest catchment So the change must come from that when children areas are deforested, there is within ourselves. We spend more surface runoff and salinity too much time blaming the are taught at a young decreases. In both these instances, government or the custodians age, they can be there are changes in the composition of our natural wealth. We have extremely powerful of species. In the former, species to look hard and deep at our ambassadors for which are tolerant to a higher range daily lives and see whether we conservation. I of salinity will survive, while in the are contributing to the drivers of latter, the opposite occurs: species ecosystem loss, that is have observed that which can survive in less saline when children learn conditions thrive. In both cases, • Are we are using too much of about the plants species of commercially important our natural resources? fish and shellfish are affected. So, and animals of our • Are we are contributing to through merely two human actions destruction or degradation of country, they also — changing the quality and quantity natural habitats? learn to appreciate of water — the livelihoods of 500,000 the natural wealth people are threatened. • Are we polluting the air, around us. This is the poisoning the waters and 4. How can we help to retard the loss leaving our trash behind? first, critical step to its of Sri Lanka’s biodiversity? conservation. Each one of us must accept that we • Are we are introducing are all responsible for the loss of our invasive alien species into our natural heritage. We are not exempt country? from blame for what has happened • Are we are contributing to to it. We have all contributed to the climate change?. loss of our natural wealth. (See the 10 questions in the box to ask yourself about the environment).

5. Will children have the ability to conserve biodiversity for the future? They will, if they learn about conservation at an early age. I believe strongly that when children are taught at a young age, they can be extremely powerful ambassadors for conservation. I have observed that when children learn about the plants and animals of our country, they also learn to appreciate the natural wealth around us. This is the first, critical step to its conservation.

Habitat destruction, Giribawa. (Pic by Sarath Ekanayake)

61 THE SPLENDOUR OF HIRIKATU OYA By Ramalka Kasige

eople always wish for an escapade to a foreign country to grasp its scenic beauty and take in something different but often fail to realize just how astounding and unique their own country can be. Opportunities for pleasant strolls are scattered all over Sri Lanka. You simply have to know where to discover them.

Even if we live as urban creatures, our urge to get out of the city—to camp out, to go on a hike- can always seize our imagination. Amidst the toiling schedules, I got a chance to escape the city limits P and live a memorable experience which will be cherished for a lifetime. It was another foray to the wild outdoors, this time to Hirikatu Oya, with a group of young enthusiasts keen on fauna and flora.

Hirikatu Oya is a lesser known destination for travel enthusiasts, although it is astonishingly rich in biodiversity. Situated within the boundary of the Ratnapura district in the Sabaragamuwa province, it is an eco-site located in the valley of Belihuloya extending right down to ‘World’s End’ in Horton plains which links both the dry and wet zones as well as the hill country and low country. This nature’s gift is home to innumerable varieties of fauna and flora with pristine valleys that overlook it. It is an ideal place for bird and butterfly watching.

Our journey started from Pettah at around 3.30 am and we were at the doorstep of the unspoiled tranquility of Hirikatu Oya by around 9.30 am. The ambiance of the site calmed and rejuvenated us instantly. The breathtaking views of the surrounding hills hidden amidst the clouds, carpets of tea plantations and the waters of the Oya gushing through the site, which is also a spot for camping, added more value and beauty to the forest while maintaining an exceptionally rich faunal and floral biota.

62 LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 The breathtaking As most of us were butterfly enthusiasts, the sight of beautiful albatrosses views of the welcoming us with their fluttering and dancing gave us a hint that this field excursion was going to be great, with a lot of butterfly sightings. Our morning surrounding hills trail was eventful as we were able to identify and record many butterfly and hidden amidst the dragonfly species along the footpaths which had plenty of sunlight to activate clouds, carpets of the little flying creatures. tea plantations The close-up view of the beautiful Sri Lanka shining glossamerwing and the waters of (Euphaea splendens) was rewarding for all the dragonfly lovers including the oya gushing myself. The Asian skimmer (Orthetrum glaucum) and Sri Lanka red-striped through the site, treadtail (Elattoneura tenax) were also among the dragonfly species spotted which is also a by us. spot for camping, The waters of the Hirikatu Oya glistened like diamonds wherever the added more value sunlight hit it. It was a memorable experience to walk along the banks and beauty to of the Oya amidst lush greenery while the winds rippled the water. Its mini-waterfalls and natural pools looked ready-made for swimming and the forest while snorkeling and triggered our sudden decision to bathe in it. Some of us maintaining an snorkeled to enjoy its aquatic diversity. We discovered that stone suckers exceptionally rich (Garra ceylonensis) and banded mountain loaches (Schistura notostigma) floral and faunal were the prominent species that coexisted in the Oya. biota Refreshed after the bath, we headed back to the camp site where steaming cups of tea and Marmite were waiting for us. Although a light drizzle in the afternoon continued for some time, it did add to the feel of the place.

The night trail after the rain wasn’t as bad as we thought it would be. Our group was determined to record as many nocturnal creatures as possible. We saw amphibians, beetles, moths, spiders, lizards, small mammals and snails. The amphibian enthusiast in our group helped us to identify different species such as the Kandy dwarf toad (Adenomus kandianus), Asian common toad (Duttaphrynus melanostictus), bronzed frog or Günther’s golden-backed frog (Indosylvirana temporalis), grey-brown pug-snouted frog (Uperodon obscurus) and the pseudophilautus hallidayi / pseudophilautus fergusonianus who are endemic to Sri Lanka.

LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 63 ya irikatu O T he sp len d our of H irikatu

64 LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 Our group was The next day dawned with the chirping of birds. The “pretty dear” call of the determined brown capped babbler was the stimulus for my sudden reflex to jump out of bed. For the next couple of hours, a nearby footpath was the perfect spot for to record as birdwatching. Bird calls were constantly heard and we followed most of them. many nocturnal Among the constants of this embracing diversity were the skimmiter babbler, creatures as pale-billed flowerpecker, brown headed barbet, scarlet minivet and the ever possible. We saw fascinating malabar trogon. amphibians, On the second day we trekked deeper into the forest, alongside the stream. We beetles, moths, weren’t lucky enough to record as many butterflies and dragonflies as we had spiders, lizards, the day before because of the downpour the previous evening, which might small mammals have washed away most of the eggs and larvae. We came across nearly 30 species of butterfly in the two days we were in Hirikatu Oya. They included the and snails red helen (Papilio helenus), yamfly (Loxura atymnus), blue mormon (Papilio polymnestor), three-spot grass yellow (Eurema blanda), Sri Lankan tree nymph (Idea iasonia), commander (Moduza procris), great eggfly (Hypolimnas bolina), common sailor (Neptis hylas), blue admiral (Kaniska canace), white four-ring (Ypthima ceylonica), common cerulean (Jamides celeno) and the indigo flash (Rapala varuna).

Soon it was time to leave the wilderness, almost exclusively ours for the two days that we were there, and head back to the busy suburbs of Colombo in a Badulla-Colombo bus.

By exploring the amazing diversity of wilderness that Sri Lanka has to offer we had come away with great appreciation for her beauty.

(Pix by Iranga Thejana)

LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 65 our activities snapshot: our 125th year The Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS) was established in 1894 as a game protection society. By the late 1960’s it had evolved to become a wildlife and nature conservation society. For much of this period, the Society was the only civil organization promoting the protection of the country’s fauna and flora and was closely associated with the enactment of Sri Lanka’s wildlife protection legislation. In 1967, the WNPS was the first Non-Governmental Organisation to become a fully-fledged member of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Nature Resources (IUCN). In 1968, by virtue of Act No 29 (of 1968), the society became the first Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) in Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) to be incorporated by an Act of Parliament. Over the years we continued to maintain close links with the Department of Wildlife Conservation and Forest Department, especially to highlight conservation issues. Our primary role now is as a policy advocate and environmental educator. We publish two bi-annual journals in English & Sinhala and maintain three park lodges in Wilpattu, Yala and Udawalawe national parks for our members. When the Society was first established, its emblem was the side view of the face of the European red deer. In 1929, it was changed to the head of a sambhur, an emblem it continues to use today. The WNPS is the third oldest society of its kind in the world.

n 2019, we marked 125 years of our work. We have come a long way from those early days when we were responsible for setting up, and for the early administration of Wilpattu, which was the first national park in Sri Lanka and then the Yala national park. Later in the 1970s, we canvassed for the demarcation of the Uda Walawe national park. The WNPS fought to institutionalise the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) whose members were prominent in the committee that drafted the Fauna & Flora Protection Ordinance (FFPO), which is the primary statute for the protection of the wildlife and protected areas in Sri Lanka. I Our monthly public lectures and field trips which are an opportunity for the public to learn and update their knowledge about the country’s fauna and flora as well as to experience them are among our flagship activities.

66 LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 Media is integral to our work Saving our wildlife with appealed for support for the work Environmental lawyer Jagath responsible and positive media of the DWC, which he said is the Gunewardene’s futuristic reporting only agency mandated to work for presentation about other human- the welfare of wildlife in Sri Lanka animal conflicts that are unfurling Leading wildlife conservationists amidst a plethora of over 100 such as those with crocodiles, underscored the importance of gorvenment agencies that work to monkeys, peacocks and the giant reporting conservation issues protect the interests of people. squirrel who are being displaced responsibly at a media workshop because their habitats are being which was held in November. Speaking about the behavior of denuded ie sand mining, was a cue The urgent message from them wild cats and how to understand for the media to start awareness was the need for fact based it, Dr. Enoka Kudavidanage raising and prevention about these analytical reporting supported by questioned the potential for scare impending issues. He also touched photographs that correlate to the mongering and sensationalism on the legal perspectives of wildlife story to overcome the dangerous when news reports published conflicts. The media ethics of trends of spreading false news erroneous images. She gave the reporting wildlife conflicts were on today’s fast-paced information example of a news report with a explained by Sukumar Rockwood, highway. photograph of a tiger, implying who is the head of the Press the presence of these animals in Complaints Commission of Sri Journalists from mainstream Sri Lanka, when clearly there was Lanka. print and electronic media and no empirical evidence of this. She undergraduates of mass media and urged the media to go beyond Rasika Jayakody, a former editor conservation studies participated incident reporting and to look at of the Daily News who was also in the workshop which was the reasons for human-animal responsible for ushering in Lake organized jointly by the Wildlife conflicts. House digital, highlighted how the and Nature Protection Society and power of social media platforms the Sri Lanka Press Institute. The human-elephant conflict for can be harnessed to relay real time instance takes a heavy toll on both accurate and verified information Dr. Sumith Pilapitiya, former man and animal despite mitigation to keep the public well informed Director General of Wildlife methods such as migration but also explained the pitfalls Conservation who was one of corridors and electric fences. of sensationalising information the resource persons at the Sri Lanka loses between 250- 300 which ultimately can even risk the workshop flagged the critical role of her elephant population every lives of both humans and animals. of the media as an influncer of year. The farmer loses his crops public opinion both positively and and home when elephants raid Participants wrapped up the negatively. He pointed out how a them when they go in search of workshop with a peer exchange media driven conservation agenda paddy. According to Dr Pritiviraj which was mostly on challenges, will also automatically drive the Fernando of the Centre for on the difficulty in finding sources country’s development agenda to Conservation Research who spoke and verifying information, and be sustainable, a sentiment which about the human elephant conflict, delivering news on time. The was echoed by Ranjan Marasinghe, about 70 people die each year from session was moderated by Deputy Director Planning and it. He pointed out the need for a Deepanjalie Abeywardana, head of ICT of the Department of Wildlife paradigm change in vision, policy the media unit at Verite Research. Conservation (DWC) who said and management to manage everyone had a role to play in the human elephant conflict in a wildlife conservation. Dr Pilapitiya scientific and rational way

LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 67 s na ps hot: our 125th year our a c tiviti es

The greatest dance on the planet: a public lecture on migratory birds.

This year too we hosted atleast ten Lanka too. The WNPS embarked project, and others, with the best public lectures on a range of topical on several reforestation and tree- experts that are available. environment and conservation planting projects, including the related topics. These lectures, Reforestation of a Rainforest (ROAR) Our youth wing which are conducted by renowned Project at Diyakothakanda. The One of the most important Sri Lankan and international society carries out this ambitious developments in the society is environmental scientists and conservationists, are followed by a question and answer session. This series is immensely popular and is a tremendous success.

awareness07 raising programs on conservation were conducted by the youth wing for school children in Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Hatton, Putukudyirruppu, Vavuniya, Gampaha and Wasgamuwa.

All over the world, thousands of hectares of rainforest are destroyed every day in the name of development. Many species of wild animal are displaced and lose their habitat as a result. It happens in Sri

68 LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 the establishment of it’s youth wing because we believe that youth hold the key to the future of conservation. The youth wing carries out a plethora of activities, including awareness raising in schools about responsible conservation. It also spearheaded an island-wide poster competition on the theme of conservation and development.

lectures10 on wildlife and conservation related topics were organized for the public.

Building partnerships The WNPS has long recognised that there are too many conservation issues all over the country for any one organisation to deal with at any one time. As a result it has The wnps team explains to Saba Douglas how the LRS light system works formed partnerships with other conservation groups, most notably in its legal cases to challenge First day cover neighbours, must become partners encroachment or illicit development We are proud the Department of in conservation while deriving in protected areas. With the private Posts and Telecommunications took direct financial and social benefits sector, the WNPS has formed steps to issue a first day cover to from this privilege. During her short partnerships that help mainly, with recognise 125 years of our work. stay, she visited Pokunutanna, the its work to spread the message of site where the LRS light system is conservation through the youth Especially for 125 being piloted, the elephant transit wing, public lecture series and most home in Uda Walawe and Yala importantly, the publication of its Elephant conservationist and national park. journal Loris, the oldest, continuous wildlife presenter Saba Douglas- publication of its kind in Sri Lanka Hamilton was the chief guest at our and the Warana / Vaaranam its 125 year anniversary dinner which Sinhala / Tamil counterpart. was held at the Hilton hotel on 12 November. In her address to guests, she spoke about growing up with elephants in Africa from the time field07 trips were organized of her birth and how she learned to Mannar, Sinharaja forest, about elephant behavior from her Kanneliya, Horton Plains and father, Iain Douglas-Hamilton. She to Kumana, Wilpattu and Uda wetland04 walks to Baddagana emphasised how important it is for Walawe national parks. wetland park and Diyasuru park. communities that have wildlife as

LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 69 Launched a s na ps hot: our 125th year photography

competition on Organized a conservation. medical camp (Pic Nishantha) The first day in Wilpattu cover which Launched for staff of the The Green Isle was launched to “speed kills” a Department project to restore mark the 125th social media of Wildlife the biodiversity anniversary of the our a c tiviti es Conservation campaign to in the Attidiya WNPS. Marshes was avoid animal launched. deaths.

March May August October November December

The winners of Released the the all-island 125th anniversary launched the schools poster issue of the Loris pilot phase of competition were magazine the Light Repel announced at System in the final round Pokunutanna which was held in an effort to in Colombo. mitigate the human-elephant conflict.

Our apologies Loris Vol. 28 No. 5, May 2019 name from the list of general Due to an error during the Page 3. (List of Contents) committee members which was formatting stage of the issue, published in the 125th anniversary the scientific name of the Pondi Due to an error, the article on Dr. edition of the Loris. He continues to cherry Shark in the heading Lucius Nicholls (1885 – 1969) by be an integral cog in the wheel of was incorrectly reproduced as Ismeth Raheem & Enoka Corea the Committee and this omission is SarcharhOus hemiodon when it (pp. 27 – 28) was omitted from sincerely regretted. should have been Cercharhinus the list of contents. Our sincere hentiodon. Our sincere apdogies apologies to the authors for this Loris Vol. 27 Nos. 1 & 2, December to the author, Mr. Rex I. De Silva, omission. 2014 Page 46. (The Pondicherry Shark for this error for which he is in no Sarchathirrus herniudon in Marine We apologise to Rahula way responsible. and Freshwater habitats in Sri Lanka) Dassenaieke for omitting his

70 LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 GreenA Bellanwila-Aththidiya Sanctuary ISLE restoration project by WNPS supported by Abans. This unique ecosystem is home to 166 bird species, 44 fish species including six endemics, 30 reptile species and 71 butterfly species including nine endemics. The project commenced on the 6th of June 2019. 43 plant species have been planted upto now including kumbuk, mee, karanda, kaduru, domba, diyapara, some wild fruit plants and a few mangrove plants.

LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 71 d ing w orth atten chat A cat

Criti c ally en da n g e r d

Celebrations The conservation community of Sri Lanka came together to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the WNPS at a gala dinner which was held on the 12th of November at the Hilton hotel in Colombo.

The WNPS, the third oldest society of its kind in the world, hosted Ms. Saba Douglas-Hamilton, the award winning and acclaimed elephant conservationist and wildlife TV presenter as the key note speaker. Other speakers included the President of the WNPS Sriyan De Silva Wijeyeratne and WNPS Conservation Ambassador former Sri Lanka cricket captain Mahela Jayawardena.

72 LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 LORIS VOL - 28 ISSUE 6 73 Youth Ambassador s na ps hot: our 125th year Program: Leopard Hill of Jawai, India The WNPS, through its WILD CAT group supported by Cinnamon our a c tiviti es Holidays and Nature Trails launched an exciting new Young n Wild initiative called the WNPS Youth Ambassador Program to inspire more young people to work towards the cause of conservation, to engage in field activities and research to help protect Sri Lanka’s fauna and flora and to be role models and spokesperson for WNPS.

The youth ambassadors were sent on a fully funded week of overseas exposure to the Leopard Hills of Jawai, India, to explore the amazing balance between large cats and the Rabari tribe. The study included game drives, discussions with the Rabari villagers to understand how the Rabari tribesmen see the leopard, the implications of big cats hunting their livestock and how the local authorities mitigate this by bridging the gap with what is lost to the tribesmen, and more.

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Empowering Positive Biodiversity Action Through Awareness

This publication is presented to you with the intention of revealing greater insights to Sri Lanka’s rich biodiversity. Our earnest wish is that you may gain an even greater appreciation of the value of our biological resources and understand the role you could play in conserving and protecting this rich biodiversity.

A Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative by