MANILA -- For over five decades now since its establishment in 1959, the Manila Zoological and Botanical Garden (MZBG), commonly called the Manila Zoo, remains to be a popular destination for families and other people from Metro Manila wishing to enjoy the beauty of nature and wildlife.
Manila Parks and Recreation Bureau (MPRB) Chief and Zoo Director Deogracias Manimbo told PNA that the Manila city government is now upgrading the caring program for the animals housed inside the zoo.
The MZBG is home to more than 800 animals from over 100 species as of 2007. The zoo's most popular "resident" is Mali, an Indian elephant who arrived at the zoo as an orphaned calf donated from Sri Lanka.
The MPRB official emphasized that Manila Zoo is under redevelopment.
”About 75 percent of the zoo is rehabilitated, reconstructed, and enclosed. For redevelopment, of course, the other 25 percent is pushed through. We are earning P36 million a year and all of that is used for the redevelopment of the zoo, for improvement, rehabilitation, food, medicines,” said Donald Manalastas, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Zoological Division of Manila Zoo.
He also clarified certain news reports that some of the animals in the zoo, including the popular elephant Mali, will be brought back into sanctuary.
”Actually, Ms. Rachel Rigodon, a People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) representative, went here... with her is a veterinarian. There are issues that Mali is sick, so they accessed her. They were amazed! Mali is healthy. So they don’t have a reason to move Mali back into a sanctuary. We take good care of Mali; she’ll just die in there (sanctuary),” he said.
Manila Zoo animals are all domesticated and have adjusted fully to their present home and that bringing them to the wild would be greatly difficult for them, he added.
Favorite field trip destination
The Manila Zoo is among the cores of school children’s field trips to Manila and other parts of the metropolis.
The administration also conducts events to develop the Zoological Park programs.
If there’s one place that completes the history of Manila, then it's sure to be the Manila Zoo, considered as the oldest zoo in Asia which opened its doors on July 25, 1959 on a 5.5-hectare site and serves as one of the foremost educational institutions where the public can learn about animals.
There are 106 different species of animals in the zoo. Out of the 106 species, there are 63 species of reptiles, 30 different kinds of mammals and 13 types of birds, including Macaws, the trained birds that could speak too (depending on the trainings), in addition to popular zoo occupants such as elephant, tigers, lions and the hippos.
Manila Zoo also houses several endemic and indigenous species of animals like the bearcat, long-tailed macaques and crocodiles.
With a good mix of education and entertainment purposes, the Manila Zoo does its best to appeal to everyone.
Though Manila Zoo has established its name in tourism, competition now remains high with such newly-built establishments that seek to attract tourists' eyes -- like the Manila Ocean Park, Avilon Zoo in Rodriguez (formerly Montalban) in Rizal province, and Malabon Zoo in Barangay Potrero, Malabon City.
”We do not compete in here. In the first place, we never advertise! But we still have the average range of 950,000 visitors a year! Manila Zoo has been an institution, when you say a zoo somewhere in Metro Manila, what will you think of?” Manalastas asked.
Its design may be mediocre based on Western standards, but a visit to Manila Zoo may prove worthy if the goal is to break the monotony of urbanism everywhere else in Metro Manila.
As the tourists enter Manila Zoo, Mali, the Indian elephant, is the first to "welcome" them. The larger mammals and the monkeys are in the back section of the zoo.
Tourists can also see the Kinder Zoo on the left side after entering the zoo premises. Kinder Zoo has been made especially for children, where they can touch and pat some animals.
The Manila Zoo administration says that there is big number of visitors during weekends -- Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The same is true during the holiday seasons such as from December to January.
Manalastas says that Manila Zoo is not losing visitors, though they could not say that it's increasing through the years. At least, they manage to maintain the count of a million guests.
There is a large pond with a small island in its center. Makeshift boats are provided and visitors can paddle around the small island for an extra payment of P60 for a boat that carries approximately four passengers. There is also the growing trend of horseback riding with the same cost per head.
Located at Quirino Ave., Adriatico St., Malate (corner of Mabini St. and Harrison St.), Manila Zoo is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Entrance fee for non-Manila City residents is P40 for adults and P20 for kids below four feet in height.
source: interaksyon.com
