The Yellow Anaconda hatchling reported missing from the Dehiwala National Zoological Gardens earlier this month has been recovered. The snake was discovered inside an iron box within the zoo’s Reptilium section, less than 24 hours after the keeper in charge of the section was interdicted in connection with its disappearance.
Measuring between 1.5 and 2 feet in length, the hatchling is the only Yellow Anaconda currently housed at the Dehiwala Zoo. It was part of a group of six snakes seized by officials at Bandaranaike International Airport from a woman attempting to smuggle them into the country. The animals were handed over to the zoo on 15 September 2025 for care and quarantine.
A formal complaint regarding the disappearance was lodged with the Dehiwala Police on 7 December 2025. At the time, the keeper claimed the hatchling had escaped after the enclosure door was inadvertently left open. However, an extensive search of the premises by staff yielded no results. Following a preliminary inquiry into the incident, the keeper was suspended from duties on 16 December 2025. Shortly thereafter, the hatchling was found safely secured inside an iron box within the facility.
