Manila Zoo refutes PETA criticism

The Public Recreation Bureau (PRB) of the Manila city government has denied accusations thrown at them by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), claiming that it is “unfair” to judge the whole operations of the Manila Zoological and Botanical Garden with photos released by the animal rights group that appeared to show the country’s oldest zoo in unpleasant light.

In an interview at the zoo with PRB Director Deogracias Manimbo, he explained that the photos taken by PETA were old files and did not represent the whole zoo. “Hindi ibig sabihin na pag may nakitang bottled water sa isang cage, lahat na ng cages namin, madumi (It doesn’t mean that when one finds bottled water in one cage, all the cages are dirty). It’s unfair on our part because the photos they used were old,” he said.

However, he assured that they are taking measures to avoid littering inside the zoo. “We are contemplating on restricting the use of bottled water inside the zoo and designating a specific area where people can eat to avoid littering inside the zoo,” Manimbo said.

Manimbo also disproved PETA-released photos of unkempt surroundings at the zoo, specifically its fish pond. “The photo was taken when the fish pond was undergoing construction,” he said.

Manimbo revealed that the fish pond is now fully operational and is set to be inaugurated on Monday during the celebration of the zoo’s 52nd anniversary. He said it was donated by a maritime company which also gave the zoo a filtration system and landscaping worth millions of pesos. The fish pond now has at least 20 fishes composed of golden tilapia and catfish among others.

Manimbo further refuted the group’s claim that the animals are experiencing zoochosis or the development of unnatural behavior patterns of zoo animals that are held in artificial environments. “These animals will actually feel unfit if they are released in the wild because they are already used to being fed for a very long time now,” he said.

He also contested PETA’s claims that the animals are becoming unhealthy and are poorly fed. “Our animals here are living beyond their life expectancy. How can they be unhealthy at that?” Manimbo said.

He said the zoo’s main attraction -- Mali, a 34-year old elephant -- is sufficiently fed and nourished. “An elephant’s lifespan is only 30 years, but Mali exceeded that. It is also not true that we only feed Mali with one loaf bread a day.

We feed Mali with 25 loaves a day, along with some potatoes. We ensure that the animals here have a balanced diet,” Manimbo said.

He said Berta, the 48-year-old hippopotamus, is fit and well taken care of and has already exceeded its life expectancy of 35 years.

“We have five in-house veterinarians who are experts in wildlife and who have taken care of the animals for 30 years now,” he said.

Manimbo admitted though that the 5.5-hectare zoo needs to restore its old structures. He said they need more funds for the upkeep and development of the zoo. “If we have to be at par with other zoos, we need more funds,” he said, adding that the zoo needs P50 million every year.

“At this point, there are no massive developments. Though we have finished the restoration of majority or 70 percent of the zoo, we are doing our best for the remaining 30 percent, which include the aviary and small mammals,” Manimbo said.

By SARAH HILOMEN-VELASCO