Young zoologists portray wildlife stories respectfully, ethically

Published on 19.10.2025 https://www.sundaytimes.lk/251019/news/young-enthusiasts-portray-wildlife-stories-respectfully-ethically-616477.html

Basilisk taking aim

For years, the Young Zoologists’ Association (YZA) of Sri Lanka has been a quiet but powerful force nurturing the country’s next generation of naturalists. Each year, its members bring the wonders of the wild into the heart of Colombo through two special exhibitions—Young Eye on Nature and Kin Wild.

Now marking around 25 years of the Young Eye on Nature photography exhibition and 20 years of the Kin Wild wildlife arts exhibition have become proud traditions in the YZA calendar. They celebrate not only creativity but also curiosity—showing how young people view, study, and express the beauty of wildlife through photography and art.YZA’s young photographers are taught to observe before they clickCultivating artistic link with nature and right, young nature lovers at workThe Basilisk: A photograph on display

Parrots enjoying the freedom

In an age where wildlife photography is booming across Sri Lanka, these exhibitions stand out for their strong focus on ethics and education. “It’s not just about capturing a rare animal or a perfect shot; it’s about understanding the subject, respecting its space, and telling its story responsibly,” says the YZA president, Shoshitha Liyanage.

That message is especially relevant today, when social media has made wildlife photography more accessible—but also more vulnerable to unethical practices. YZA’s young photographers are taught to observe before they click, ensuring that their work inspires appreciation, not disturbance.

Kin Wild, the companion art exhibition, nurtures another rare talent—to portray wildlife on canvas. At a time when drawing and painting animals is becoming less common, YZA remains one of the few institutions, or probably the only one, that cultivates this artistic link with nature. Each sketch or painting reflects patient observation and deep empathy, reminding visitors that science and art can beautifully coexist.

For many participants, these exhibitions are their first steps toward careers in conservation, photography, environmental science, or education. But even for those who go on to other fields, the lessons learnt—respect for life, patience, and curiosity—remain lifelong treasures.

YZA has two sections—junior students aged 6 to 12 years of age and youth from 13 to 35 years of age. Members meet every Sunday at the National Zoological Gardens at Dehiwala for lectures covering everything from birds, mammals, aquatic life, and reptiles to flora. There are workshops like wildlife photography or arts, and YZA also organises field trips.

The exhibition opens for the public on the evening of October 24 and will be open on the weekend of October 25 and 26 at the J.D.A. Perera Gallery, Colombo 07. Entrance is free.

Screenshot

Young zoologists on an artistic foray

https://www.sundaytimes.lk/241027/news/young-zoologists-on-an-artistic-foray-575372.html published on SundayTimes on 27.10.2024

Operating from the National Zoological Gardens in Dehiwala, the Young Zoologists’ Association (YZA) is one of Sri Lanka’s leading organisations for environmental education. It promotes wildlife art and ethical wildlife photography, providing young enthusiasts an invaluable platform to exhibit their talents through an annual exhibition.

This year’s exhibition titled Kin Wild featured wildlife paintings and sketches by aspiring young artists. As Sri Lanka’s longest-running wildlife art exhibition, it has become an enduring tradition ever since the YZA founded its Wildlife Arts group in 1989, holding its first exhibition the following year.

Creating wildlife art requires a unique skill set, as artists must understand the anatomy and behaviour of animals to capture them authentically. YZA members are able to gain such knowledge through the association’s regular education programmes, held every Sunday at the zoo.Young talent on display: From paintings and sketches to photography

With the rise of digital photography, many aspire to become wildlife photographers, but YZA instills in its members a sense of responsibility, training them to capture images that respect and preserve the natural world. The association’s photography group offers guidance on capturing conservation-focused angles, with their exhibition Young Eye on Nature running alongside the wildlife arts showcase.

Founded in 1972 by former Zoo Director and conservationist Lyn de Alwis, the YZA encourages young Sri Lankans to study and conserve nature while honing skills like drawing and photography.

More than 100 wildlife paintings, sketches, and photographs were on display at this year’s exhibition, held at the J.D.A. Perera Gallery, Faculty of Visual Arts, 46 Horton Place, Colombo-07.