Manila Zoo renovation underway by July

The planned billion-peso renovation of the ageing Manila Zoo is set to kick off in July after a local developer won the bid to turn the city’s recreational spot into a world-class destination, officials reported.

Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada said Metropolitan Zoo Incorporated won the bid against a Singaporean company for the year-long renovation of the 56-year old zoo.

“They have a really good proposal which is according to our standards. They will turn the Manila zoo into a world-class zoo,” Estrada said adding that the new Manila Zoo will is pegged to become as attractive as the Singapore zoo.

Manila Zoo Director Albert De Chavez said Metropolitan Zoo Inc. will begin working on the 5.5 hectare Manila zoo in July with a total budget of P1.5 Billion.

“It will not be closed because the construction will be in phases,” De Chavez said.

Once renovated, officials said the zoo will be operated on a lease agreement since the city will not be spending a single cent for its reconstruction.

Estrada assured, that admission rates to the new Manila Zoo will not be prohibitive and in fact will not deviate much from its present rate of P50 for Manila residents and P100 for non-Manila residents.

Earlier, De Chavez said they wanted Manila Zoo to become solely an exhibit area and to divert the sanctuary or breeding area outside the city.

“At the moment, this is also where we breed our animals but we are hoping for a breeding facility which is twice or thrice the size of Manila Zoo,” De Chavez said.

The new Manila Zoo will feature a walk-in aviary where visitors could enjoy the presence of various species of birds inside a huge enclosed space.

Manila Zoo is home to more than a thousand animals from different 90 species including the 40-year old elephant, Mali.

Apart from Mali, the zoo’s other famous attractions include its Bengal tiger, Malayan civet, hippopotamus and monitor lizard.

Estrada said he is hoping for the new Manila Zoo to become one of his lasting legacies as Mayor of Manila.

Situated in Adriatico Street in Malate, Manila Zoo attracts an average of 4,000 visitors weekly.

An estimated 40,000 tourists visit to the Zoo each month, De Chavez said. Manila Zoo is also a regular destination of school field trips.