The Manila Zoo in Malate District, Manila and the Cebu Safari Adventure Park in Carmen City, Cebu have entered into a partnership for medicine and wildlife exchanges on Wednesday, Dec. 8.
The partnerhip with Cebu Safari Manila was announced by Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso during a three-day Cebu listening tour where he visited the Cebu Safari accompanied by Cebu Safari Vice President and Chief Executive Officer Eduard Loop and Cebu Third District representative Pablo John Garcia.
"Itong Cebu Safari hindi lang siya basta zoo. Initially nag-angkat sila ng mga hayop but they developed. Dumating na sila sa stage na nagpro-produce na sila ng sarili nilang animals. Nag bre-breed sila ng maayos. Syempre sisikip itong zoo na ito pag marami na silang bagong wildlife. Welcome naman sa Maynila ‘yung hayop nila. 'Di lang tao ang welcome, we are willing to receive some donations (Cebu Safari used to rely on imports, but they developed (their own). Now, it can breed its own animals. Eventually, the zoo will have too many animals, so these animals are welcome in Manila)," said Domagoso.
Manila Zoo began its redevelopment and renovation in 2019 as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) brought attention to the zoo's lack of proper sewage system and is expected to re-open in February 2022. For this, it needs new wildlife exhibits
Domagoso, on Sunday, Dec. 5, lauded Cebu Safari for staying open for business despite the pandemic.
He also said that Cebu Safari could help bolster tourism in the Philippines as it could become a central wildlife breeding facility in Asia.