The city government of Manila will forge a partnership with the Cebu Safari and Adventure Park for future exchanges of wildlife and animal medicines.
Presidential candidate and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso made the disclosure after his three-day Listening Tour in Cebu where he was accompanied by Deputy Speaker and Cebu 3rd District Congressman Pablo John Garcia in visiting the Cebu Safari and Adventure Park last Sunday as part of his itinerary during his third visit to Cebu province in a span of six weeks.
Moreno was warmly welcomed by the Cebu Safari vice president and chief operating officer Eduard Loop. The Aksyon Demokratiko presidential bet also had a warm reception from some 300 employees, some of whom came with their families.
With the Manila Zoo expected to finish with its redevelopment and general renovation, Moreno said there is a need for the zoo to acquire additional wildlife before its scheduled re-opening sometime in February 2022. Rey E. Requejo
Moreno said that Cebu Safari and Adventure Park can easily supply the Manila Zoo with wildlife since several species have been successfully breeding in the 170-hectare animal reservation.
The Manila Zoo, the first zoo in Southeast Asia which opened in 1959, was closed temporarily for upgrade and renovation in January 2019, especially after the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) called the attention of the zoo’s management due to lack of proper sewage system.
Located atop the beautiful and scenic hills of Carmen, the 170-hectare Safari Park is a brainchild of hippophile and orchid collector, Michel Lhuillier, together with his business partner, Eduard J. Loop who became the catalyst and the driving force that opened successful ancillary businesses to support the passion of Lhuillier.