Our very own Paradise
Cebu City Zoo: Our very own paradise
By: Neliza Marie E. Dakoykoy
My First Visit October 8, 2008
Just recently, two new species of animals have been added to the Cebu City Zoo family; a pair of sheep and just last week, a big and not-so-commonly-seen Tiger. These two new additions have become an instant hit for kids and adults alike; especially those living within or near the Beverly Hills area and have come to take a peek at the less than common sight.
The sheep is housed in a barn-like quadrant a stairway down from the walkway, just a few steps down and you’ll see them in an open quadrant; you could very easily reach out to touch them if they weren’t too scared to get near you. One of them, most likely male, (I think you’d know if you saw it), had a horn emerging from both sides of its forehead curling down towards its neck; its horns looking just like the ones you see in mythical creatures on television. The other lamb, probably the female, is slightly smaller than its male counterpart with less angular features, without horns and more amiable-looking.
Just outside the sheep quadrant, near their metal fence is a snake caged in glass reinforced with metal lining to avoid not a break-in but definitely a break-out. The snake was all curled-up, just observing curious onlookers staring at it thru its glass cage. Its cage was filled with small rocks and bits and pieces of what were once skin attached to its body.
The newest family member, and probably the most popular and most interesting by far is the Tiger. The tiger was in a temporary cage lying lazily like a big cat; which actually it is, only deliriously bigger and definitely carnivorous. Its striped fur, its big paws, and its sizable head (not to mention its fangs which thankfully I didn’t see) were hypnotizing and wonderful yet scary. From the looks of it, if he ever rose on two feet, it could easily overshadow and grown man. We’ve been warned not to try anything that could aggravate the big cat, for obvious security reasons. (We are, after all, meat.)
Aside from the new sensations, there still were other animals to see; some monkeys (who had no problem receiving candy from us spectators and enjoying in the most human way), rabbits, birds (you should see the eagle, I saw it in mid-flight, too bad I got no picture), chicken (ones you rarely see on a regular basis, at least not the undressed ones, they were not your regular chicken, they were slightly smaller and chubbier); and of course, the nearest thing we have to dinosaurs, the good old croc or what we refer to as “buaya”. They seemed really still, even looking dead, but do be careful because they are not what they seem.
The Cebu City Zoo, now rising from dangerously becoming defunct is now starting to spring into life, renovations are now in order and people are starting to visit it again. It can be recalled that the Cebu Zoo was once a tourist destination and a family park but almost went into oblivion. It now needs your help to regain its beauty and splendor once again.
For now, visitors can come and visit the zoo at P0 price as they have not started collecting entrance fees yet, but near the bird cages, after the crocodile dens is a small box for donations; probably the most important box in the area - - no price is ever too big to help preserve and care for our animals… for us and our children’s children to see and behold.
Not only will your generosity help the animals, it will help maintain the park and help it become a known-tourist attraction once again. A little could go a long way.
If you have more money to spare, you could sponsor an animal; take care of its needs such as food, vitamins or medicines and even a proper caretaker. If you are a company looking for a project to make real your “corporate and social responsibility vision”, you can make sure these animals survive and flourish. Not only are you making a difference, it could also be a good marketing and advertising campaign. I am sure the Cebu Zoo management will welcome your generosity. In this case, I don’t think there is such a thing as too much help.
Well, there you go; I have said my piece, not its up to you to do your part now. Why do we have to go elsewhere to see the beauty of these animals when we could cultivate our very own paradise here in Cebu… something we’ll help build, maintain and sustain for generations to come.
See it for yourself as well!
My Second Visit on October 14, 2008
I paid a second visit to the zoo today to take some pictures of the animals and also learned a few more interesting things about them.
The Tiger’s name is Bogart; he eats twice a day, one in the morning and another in the afternoon. He eats approximately 10 kilos per meal; consisting of chicken in the morning and pork meat in the pm. Feeding the tiger is not an easy feat, mind you, at least three people are involved in this challenge. Person 1 gets to open the cage to put the food in, person 2 is in charge of distraction, and the third person to hose the tiger down and keep him from attacking any of the three. Unlike my last visit when one could easily go near the tiger’s cage, they have now placed fences so people could watch from a safe distance; this was done because the tiger had a few times exhibited his wild side. One time, as narrated by the caretakers, Bogart went wild after seeing a dog; so they are not taking any more chances.
Excitement is also in the air because apparently a few more animals are in line for transfer to the zoo; small pigs, big turtles, and three more tigers, to name a few. Plans of transfer would have to be held up until they are able to acquire proper cages to house these animals in; hopefully that will be pretty soon.
Renovations are definitely under way as they’ve also started flattening some areas of the terrain to create concretized pathways all the way down to the lower areas of the zoo.
Up until now too, one can still visit the zoo without paying any entrance fees, they have, however, placed a new donation box at the front gate to encourage people to give any amount. But as soon as tickets are created, the rate is P10.00 for kids ages 3 until 12 years old and adults are charged P25.00 per head. For groups comprised of 20 persons or more, there is a 15% discount on the entrance fee so not only is more “merrier” it too is cheaper.
There are also now prospect patrons who have contacted the zoo management to sponsor cages and send donations; and you too can help.
For inquiries, you may contact Cebu City Zoo at phone numbers: 422-6708, 232-4483, and 233-5675. You can also come and visit, zoo hours are from 8 in the morning until 5 in the afternoon.
By: Neliza Marie E. Dakoykoy
My First Visit October 8, 2008
Just recently, two new species of animals have been added to the Cebu City Zoo family; a pair of sheep and just last week, a big and not-so-commonly-seen Tiger. These two new additions have become an instant hit for kids and adults alike; especially those living within or near the Beverly Hills area and have come to take a peek at the less than common sight.
The sheep is housed in a barn-like quadrant a stairway down from the walkway, just a few steps down and you’ll see them in an open quadrant; you could very easily reach out to touch them if they weren’t too scared to get near you. One of them, most likely male, (I think you’d know if you saw it), had a horn emerging from both sides of its forehead curling down towards its neck; its horns looking just like the ones you see in mythical creatures on television. The other lamb, probably the female, is slightly smaller than its male counterpart with less angular features, without horns and more amiable-looking.
Just outside the sheep quadrant, near their metal fence is a snake caged in glass reinforced with metal lining to avoid not a break-in but definitely a break-out. The snake was all curled-up, just observing curious onlookers staring at it thru its glass cage. Its cage was filled with small rocks and bits and pieces of what were once skin attached to its body.
The newest family member, and probably the most popular and most interesting by far is the Tiger. The tiger was in a temporary cage lying lazily like a big cat; which actually it is, only deliriously bigger and definitely carnivorous. Its striped fur, its big paws, and its sizable head (not to mention its fangs which thankfully I didn’t see) were hypnotizing and wonderful yet scary. From the looks of it, if he ever rose on two feet, it could easily overshadow and grown man. We’ve been warned not to try anything that could aggravate the big cat, for obvious security reasons. (We are, after all, meat.)
Aside from the new sensations, there still were other animals to see; some monkeys (who had no problem receiving candy from us spectators and enjoying in the most human way), rabbits, birds (you should see the eagle, I saw it in mid-flight, too bad I got no picture), chicken (ones you rarely see on a regular basis, at least not the undressed ones, they were not your regular chicken, they were slightly smaller and chubbier); and of course, the nearest thing we have to dinosaurs, the good old croc or what we refer to as “buaya”. They seemed really still, even looking dead, but do be careful because they are not what they seem.
The Cebu City Zoo, now rising from dangerously becoming defunct is now starting to spring into life, renovations are now in order and people are starting to visit it again. It can be recalled that the Cebu Zoo was once a tourist destination and a family park but almost went into oblivion. It now needs your help to regain its beauty and splendor once again.
For now, visitors can come and visit the zoo at P0 price as they have not started collecting entrance fees yet, but near the bird cages, after the crocodile dens is a small box for donations; probably the most important box in the area - - no price is ever too big to help preserve and care for our animals… for us and our children’s children to see and behold.
Not only will your generosity help the animals, it will help maintain the park and help it become a known-tourist attraction once again. A little could go a long way.
If you have more money to spare, you could sponsor an animal; take care of its needs such as food, vitamins or medicines and even a proper caretaker. If you are a company looking for a project to make real your “corporate and social responsibility vision”, you can make sure these animals survive and flourish. Not only are you making a difference, it could also be a good marketing and advertising campaign. I am sure the Cebu Zoo management will welcome your generosity. In this case, I don’t think there is such a thing as too much help.
Well, there you go; I have said my piece, not its up to you to do your part now. Why do we have to go elsewhere to see the beauty of these animals when we could cultivate our very own paradise here in Cebu… something we’ll help build, maintain and sustain for generations to come.
See it for yourself as well!
My Second Visit on October 14, 2008
I paid a second visit to the zoo today to take some pictures of the animals and also learned a few more interesting things about them.
The Tiger’s name is Bogart; he eats twice a day, one in the morning and another in the afternoon. He eats approximately 10 kilos per meal; consisting of chicken in the morning and pork meat in the pm. Feeding the tiger is not an easy feat, mind you, at least three people are involved in this challenge. Person 1 gets to open the cage to put the food in, person 2 is in charge of distraction, and the third person to hose the tiger down and keep him from attacking any of the three. Unlike my last visit when one could easily go near the tiger’s cage, they have now placed fences so people could watch from a safe distance; this was done because the tiger had a few times exhibited his wild side. One time, as narrated by the caretakers, Bogart went wild after seeing a dog; so they are not taking any more chances.
Excitement is also in the air because apparently a few more animals are in line for transfer to the zoo; small pigs, big turtles, and three more tigers, to name a few. Plans of transfer would have to be held up until they are able to acquire proper cages to house these animals in; hopefully that will be pretty soon.
Renovations are definitely under way as they’ve also started flattening some areas of the terrain to create concretized pathways all the way down to the lower areas of the zoo.
Up until now too, one can still visit the zoo without paying any entrance fees, they have, however, placed a new donation box at the front gate to encourage people to give any amount. But as soon as tickets are created, the rate is P10.00 for kids ages 3 until 12 years old and adults are charged P25.00 per head. For groups comprised of 20 persons or more, there is a 15% discount on the entrance fee so not only is more “merrier” it too is cheaper.
There are also now prospect patrons who have contacted the zoo management to sponsor cages and send donations; and you too can help.
For inquiries, you may contact Cebu City Zoo at phone numbers: 422-6708, 232-4483, and 233-5675. You can also come and visit, zoo hours are from 8 in the morning until 5 in the afternoon.
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