A person involved in the theft of 32 pigeons from the National Zoological Gardens in Dehiwala has been arrested along with 15 pigeons. The suspect was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) – Mount Lavinia. He is a 24-year-old residing at D.B. Jayathilaka Mawatha, Nedimala, Dehiwala, the police stated.

A total of 32 foreign pigeons that had been handed over to the Dehiwala Zoo for care on court orders were stolen on 04 October, 2025. Police have been investigating the theft based on a complaint filed by the zoo administration, which stated the pigeons were taken into police custody at the airport when they were illegally brought into the country, referred to the court, and handed over to the Dehiwala Zoo for care until the investigation is completed.

The suspect was arrested during operations conducted by a team of police officers including the Officer-in-Charge of the CIB, based on information received from a private informant.