Cover The newly-refurbished Manila Zoo (Photo: Manila Public Information Office (PIO)/Facebook)
The newly-refurbished Manila Zoo (Photo: Manila Public Information Office (PIO)/Facebook)
1 / 1
Here's one exciting update from the ever-busy streets of Manila: Everyone's beloved zoo has been given a more modern upgrade!
Wednesday night was unlike any other in the Philippines as Manila Zoo topped the trending topics on social media. Photos of the newly-renovated and modernised recreational area was released through the official Facebook page of the Manila Public Information Office (PIO).
Photos showed Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso and Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna, who were both touring the newly-refurbished space, surfaced the Internet and was welcomed with warm praises.
"To all Manileños and Filipinos, you deserve the best. We hope that you and your families would love our humble Christmas present. To everyone who continues to persevere and reach our dreams, thank you," Domagoso said.
See also: Isko Moreno: 7 Things To Know About The Manila Mayor
Below are some of the photos posted in the Manila PIO Facebook account:
The newly-refurbished Manila Zoo (Photo: Manila Public Information Office (PIO)/Facebook)
1 / 28
The revamped five-hectare Manila Zoological and Botanical Garden, which was designed by architect and University of Santo Tomas (UST) graduate Kevin Siy, is set to have a soft reopening on December 30, 2021. According to the Manila PIO, the renovations are already 99.9 per cent complete. The zoo animals will be taken to their respective enclosures on Monday, December 27.
Renovations that are visible in the published photos are the transparent glass enclosures for animals, elevated viewing decks for the guests, a viewing loft at the famous Butterfly Garden, and partitions for Filipino endemic animals and birds.
Visitors can also expect spacious powder areas and restrooms for persons with disabilities (PWDs), souvenir stores, food stalls, drinking fountains, and a larger parking area. For people who wish to visit at night, the zoo will be well-lit in the evenings and will even present night attractions such as mini waterfalls and dancing fountains.
In a statement, Domagoso said that families of 1,300 zoo construction workers will be treated as VIP guests during the soft opening to acknowledge their hard work in building the facility. The city officials will also be providing free food, drinks, and goods for them.
More from Tatler: Numbers Don't Lie: How Going Meatless Fights Climate Change
Above Mali the elephant gets a bucket of water from Noel Co, who has been her caretaker at the Manila Zoo for about 12 years. She came to the zoo at age 3 and is now 38 years old. (Photo: Jes Aznar/The International Herald Tribune)
Mali the elephant gets a bucket of water from Noel Co, who has been her caretaker at the Manila Zoo for about 12 years. She came to the zoo at age 3 and is now 38 years old. (Photo: Jes Aznar/The International Herald Tribune)
1 / 1
This is the first time that the zoo has undergone major renovations since it opened in July 1959. The facility already faced major criticisms from spectators who reported the poor conditions of animals in the area.
The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and other local animal protection groups earlier rallied that the zoo is too "tiny, decrepit, and outdated" to be the habitat of animals. "Animals are housed in cramped, barren cages that can’t compare to their natural habitats,” PETA said in its petition.
Among the animals who call Manila Zoo home are Bertha–who was believed to be the world’s oldest hippopotamus–until her death at age 65 in 2017, and the 43-year-old elephant Mali who had been subject of campaigns against animal cruelty. With the zoo's renovation, many are hopeful for better conditions for Mali and all other animals under its care.
NOW READ
6 Tatler Friends and Their Unique (and Adorable) Pets
Influencer Animals: 5 Most-Followed Pets Of Instagram
Pet-Friendly Destination: Ayala Malls Wins Award on World Animal Day
Credits
Images: Manila Public Information Office (PIO), Jez Aznar of The International Herald Tribune
