Manila Mayor Maria Sheilah “Honey” Lacuna-Pangan conducted Thursday an ocular inspection at the newly-renovated and renamed Manila Zoological and Botanical Garden.
Once described as one of the major polluters of Manila Bay, the 62-year-old Manila Zoo is re-opening its doors to the visiting public.
The zoo was shut down in 2019 for dumping wastewater into Manila Bay. Its soft opening was held in December and used as a venue for the city government’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout. It was closed again in June for further enhancements and finishing touches.
Officer-in-charge of the Public Recreation Bureau Alipio Marabe said the zoo now features an animal museum, botanical garden, butterfly garden, and animals like the resident 40-year-old elephant Mali and Siberian white tiger kois.
Lacuna-Pangan said there are more animals coming in just in time for Monday’s opening.
The Manila Zoo will operate from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., with a cut-off for entry of guests at 6:00 p.m. daily.
The admission fees are as follows: Adult and child – P150 for Manilans and P300 for non-Manilans; students – P100 for Manilans and P200 for non-Manilans; senior citizens and PWD – 20% discount on prescribed fees; children 2 years old and below may enter for free.
Online registration and purchase of tickets will be available starting November 20, 2022, via manilazoo.ph.
Walk-in visitors will be accepted but online registration is highly encouraged as the facility can only cater to 2000 online registered and 500 walk-in visitors.
One of the rules is the zoo does not allow food and beverages inside.