Sri Lanka's National Zoological Gardens in Dehiwala, near Colombo, marked its 90th anniversary on July 3, 2026. Home to a diverse collection of native and exotic wildlife, the zoo continues to serve as one of the country's leading centres for animal conservation, education and public awareness. This gallery highlights some of its best-known residents as the institution celebrates nine decades of operation. (PICS/AFP)

A striking metallic-blue tarantula discovered in the forests of Meghalaya’s Khasi and Garo Hills has been identified as a species new to science, underlining the state’s status as one of India’s richest biodiversity hotspots. (PICS/ Rajesh Sanap)