The Very Sad State of Manila Zoo

By On July 13, 2011 · 96 Comments · In Features, Pinoy Living, Tourism

Editor’s note: The following are follow up articles by Karen Ang to this entry.

1) The current state of the Manila Zoo by Karen Ang

2) Edwin Lacierda responds to Manila Zoo by Karen Ang

3) Revisiting Manila Zoo by Karen Ang

When I was in grade school, we used to have field trips at Manila Zoo. The zoo was in a sad state back then but after reading my friend Nix de Pano’s blog post, I became upset at how neglected the zoo is now. I will repost photos and some excerpts here.

The Manila Zoo is a 5.5-hectare zoo located in Manila, Philippines. It opened on July 25th, 1959. This zoo is almost 50 years old. The problem? It really does look 50 years old. Another problem? It receives millions of visitors every year, local and foreign. What a shameful tourist destination it is.


Dirt-cheap entrance fees. Probably one of the reasons for the zoo’s poor maintenance. Sadly they have no right to charge more either, based from the condition of the zoo.

Map of the zoo. Looks small and simple enough. But “small” is one of the zoo’s biggest problems.

Old, rusty cages. Hardly any animal in sight.

This is Mali, the zoo’s biggest attraction. He is an Asian elephant that arrived at the zoo as an orphaned calf donated from Sri Lanka. He is the biggest attraction but what kind of an enclosure is that? It’s sad, small, tight and boring.

Yes there is a tiger in this photo. Yes those are dead leaves from who knows how many days or weeks. Why isn’t anyone cleaning up the mess?

An even worse mess–literal trash? What is wrong with this zoo’s maintenance?

You can almost see its bones. Sick and not in the cool way.

How could it possibly get worse than that?

How about this rabbit’s untreated wound?

Or this ostrich with a dead eye?

I also found some more stories from visitors. A visitor from the US went to the zoo because his wife said it would be a good experience. He was able to watch in horror as a zookeeper punished an alligator by stabbing its head with a nail attached to a stick. (source) Another visitor claimed to have spotted a Philippine Eagle lying down dead on the pathway. The same person said a Palawan bear cat suddenly dropped dead in his cage in front of their 7-year-old nephew. (source)

It seems that there are also issues with the people who visit the zoo. A reviewer who used to love the zoo visited again recently and complained about people throwing things at the animals. (source) Another reviewer reported a man who fed a bird to the crocodiles, but was only answered with “that is no longer our concern.” (source)

Some people even called it “The Worst Zoo I’ve Ever Visited”, and said “Needs to be closed.” Another suggested, “Do not support this zoo. Go to the Philippine Avilon Zoo instead!”.

Sad, isn’t it? Our capital’s namesake zoo, a complete and utter shame. This zoo was once a good one. But poor maintenance ruined and destroyed it. Because of this, animals are suffering. I’d say they would be better off elsewhere, because this zoo is no shelter.

Unless things change.

According to the PETA Asia Pacific website, there were reports of Thailand planning to send a new elephant to Manila Zoo at the request of Mayor Alfredo Lim. But fortunately for them, it was found that Thailand had no such plan.

PETA Asia has apparently been campaigning against the zoo for years now. They sent the Mayor many requests to visit the zoo and see for himself the suffering the animals had to endure. The requests were ignored.

How are things supposed to change when our officials ignore these calls for change?

I guess all we can do is keep trying. Spread awareness, and pray that somehow, something will happen for the good of the zoo.

In fact, the zoo is reportedly attempting to improve their facilities.

Let’s see how that will turn out.

Edit: PETA Asia-Pacific has a petition you can sign to Stop More Animals from Suffering at the Manila Zoo. See it here.

How many times have we heard that Manila Zoo is trying to improve their facilities yet nothing changes. In fact, it has become so deplorable and inhumane that I would rather see it closed for good and the animals transferred to another country with better zoos.

Who is answerable to this? The Manila Zoo authorities? The City of Manila? Or us because we allowed this to happen? Certainly it is not the animals’ fault but they are the ones suffering the consequences.

We have enslaved the rest of the animal creation, and have treated our distant cousins in fur and feathers so badly that beyond doubt, if they were able to formulate a religion, they would depict the Devil in human form.  ~William Ralph Inge, Outspoken Essays, 1922

 

Addendum:  Read The Current State of Manila Zoo for Nix’s firsthand assessment of Manila. My own report can be found here.

Karen Ang has written 891 articles on this blog.
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  • Noypi

    Been there this afternoon, I did not want to agree with what Jonnyperth, but what he said is true. I took my kid to the zoo to see some animals that he’s only seen on TV.  It really is a shameful tourist destination. Very few animals, lots of tigers alright, but I no longer see the animals I’ve seen when I was still a kid.  Poor animals.

  • http://bannister.edu.ph/ Manila School

    It’s the governments job to fix this terrible problem. They have the power to give funds or change the people in-charge, the could also shut it down and transfer the animals to different zoos. 

  • Dismayado

    hindi dapat manila zoo itawag dyan e…manila herabilitation for animals….parang rehab ng mga hayop e….ung mga payat na nagpupumilit na makarecover…sana ilipat nalang tong manila zoo…at gawing first class….sana kasing ganda ng taipei zoo…napakanganda ng zoo na un which is located in taiwan…kulang isang araw para ienjoy mo ung lugar…sana ganun din ang manila zoo…ang dami pa namang tourista ang mahilig sa ganitong places…paasensohin natin ang pinas…hindi ung bulsa naten!

  • http://twurl.nl/iqwth6 Lashell Cassity

    Kudos! My wife and I loved your blog post. I am wondering what you think about Evergreen?

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  • https://www.facebook.com/john.magiceye John Chua

    Hi Karen and all those bloggers with negative views on Manila Zoo. Instead of complaining… Why dont you come and help us improved Manila Zoo. I was just like you ten years ago. With my daughter Kathy we form a zoo volunteer group. We cant solved all the problems that Manila Zoo have. But we could try one step at a time. If you have time please check this link: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/328198/an-elephant-love-story

    Thank you.
    John Chua

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  • duhat,

    putek! ipasara na yang manila zoo n yan. pondo jan binubulsa lang. mga tao tlga, corruption! bobo

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  • GabbyD

    please put the warning at the TOP of the article so visitors can see that the authors opinions have drastically changed.

    people wont take the time to read till the end.

  • imyaj13

    Holy Crap ! Bakit ba kasi ayaw pa nila pakawalan kung di nmn nila aalagaan ng maayos . At san makakarating ang Php20~40 na entrance ? pang lamon ng mga “Keeper” ?

  • Tonyboy

    Good Expose. Good Job Karen!

  • Tonyboy

    The Manila Zoo really ought to be closed. The pics may be old but I just went there 2x this year and I may say that those bad pics tell only half the story…stench of urine all over the zoo, depressed animals (walking in circles), poor elephant has been there for more than 2 decades I think all ALONE!!! The pond is so murky and so is the pool for the hippo (lumalangoy na yata sa sarili nyang ebs! The only acceptable place in the zoo is the entrance,it’s well kept but once you are inside you will share my sentiments that it ought to be closed. Wildlife in QC has a better environment, I think they need to transfer most of the poor mammals in QC. The birds in Manila zoo would be better released in the wilds.

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  • Ronie

    worse than i thought………. before I’m planning to take a visit at Manila Zoo. but with that situation I’d rather stay home and watch animal planet. much better than that…….just concerned with the animals health, it might affect the visitors.

  • James Reyes

    Sorry for my grammer due to the speed of my mind versus typing. :)

    I think it’s about time to rehabilitate the zoo. We need more funds and trained (with knowledge on animals) personnel to manage the zoo. This has been with us for so many years. The Senate and other politicians should feed the animals by giving more fund and don’t feed their wallets. Mayor Lim had his 2nd term as the Mayor yet he unable to attend to this? Private sectors will benefit if the zoo will be closed. I know there are developers who want the area to be commercialized and raise condominium for their own profit. Now PETA, who will benefit more? The poor who want to be in nature or few bullsh*ts rich people who need to sustain their craving for money? For the people who are really concern, OPEN YOUR EYES and OPEN YOUR HEART, not just for the people of Manila but for the future of our children. If you really care for these animals, defend them by giving care, call for fund, and be responsible visitors of the place.

  • http://blogniaku.blogspot.com jian

    my family and i used to visit manila zoo when i was a child and it was a very nice zoo during those times and now…seeing these pictures makes me sick and i wonder…”is that really a zoo?”…well, forests are better than this nasty place…a perfect hell for animals…=(..however i still wish for this zoo’s betterment coz i am not in favor of its permanent closure.

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  • Ang Taba mo Karen

    Hi karen ang, I think its better to treat you like an animal and put you in those cages, your as fat as an elephant. Before you post something as stupid and as worthless as this. try to do dome research first

  • Responsible Blogger

    Amidst my opinion, I still have my admiration to the young people like you and the blogger plus the lady from ProPinoy. As I said, we all have the same goal at the end of the day – positive changes. When I was younger, I am exactly the same. I write fearlessly to the point that I risk my reputation and my achievements in school just to voice out a concern and push for changes. There is nothing wrong with that for as long as you write fairly and with facts.

    We all need to talk. We all need to speak our minds. We all need to stand up and fight. The only thing I hope that you guys get to learn in the coming years is to be able to enhance further your ability to put up a battle against the issues in the society by being equipped with justice, fairness and sense of responsibility. Some readers might push you further to the point that soon your mindset will be more on “hunting for flaws” than looking for “good stuffs”. There is a great difference between an activist and an advocate. I won’t elaborate.

    We have so much issues at hand. Raising another de-focus people onto solving prior problems. Aside from that, it has become a habit for the few to criticize without facts and then put people on jeopardy. We also miss the part of patting people’s shoulders when they do good. For us, no one is doing any right. We do not know how to appreciate. We seldom write good things about people doing small things or big things for this country. For all we know, there are people in the background trying to save Manila Zoo whose effort right now are put to waste because the blog article made it look as if they have done absolutely nothing.

    IF I BLOG A PHOTO ABOUT A COP STANDING NEXT TO A CAR TALKING TO A DRIVER, I CAN PUSH A STORY IN TWO WAYS – either a cop trying to extort money from an errant driver or a good policeman trying to give direction to a confused driver. If I want to create an issue, I would use the first story. It would definitely gain attention and lots of hits online. People would definitely be faster to condemn possible wrongdoings. It is easier to throw stones at someone.

    These days, you get more reader if you refer on bad news because good news don’t seem to attract us anymore. It is also easier to make people believe even with less validation of facts. We want to talk about things and we want to pin down people. We may deny this but normally, we all have the habit of asking for the person to blame for. This is the attitude that I hope you guys won’t get used to. You are all good. You all are the hope of this country. I do hope that you get to love your nationality more. It is okay to expose but only when you have already exhausted all means to consult the issue to the proper authority and still nothing is happening – then you blog about it and you can even resort to IMBESTIGADOR!

    Anyway, I have stated my piece. I support your advocacy for animal welfare but I will never ever support the closure of Manila Zoo. I will go for temporary closure though for its renovation and I might put up a call as well for people – big and small to help. If we can pool people and resources to SAVE PASIG RIVER, why can’t we do the same to SAVE MANILA ZOO? Besides, I would rather love to see a zoo in the city than see another residential tower take over the precious property! We can do it if we get to help each other. If we do not trust the government enough due to rampant corruption, let’s donate food. Let’s pool money ourselves and seek the help of engineers and architects who may want to volunteer their services and let’s help renovate the place.

    AMIDST MY OPINION AND COMMENTS, I THANK YOU GUYS AND THE BLOGGER FOR YOUR EFFORTS. As I said, you got my support now except for the call to close the institution. I hope you guys will take our suggestions too so someday we will have great journalists and great people in you! Always be proud of your country. Put pride in your nationality. Do not contribute to something that will put our flag down. Our ancestors fought so hard so we can have the freedom that we enjoy today.

    Moreso, THE POWER OF THE PEN (keyboard for bloggers) COMES WITH GREAT RESPONSIBILITY. Maraming Salamat!

    • http://karenang.com Karen Ang

      I went to Manila Zoo to see it for myself and you can read my report here. The volunteers are the unsung heroes in this story and without them, I think the zoo will be in disarray. Thank you for giving your opinion and constructive criticisms.

      • Responsible Blogger

        Karen Ang! Good job!

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