Last Sunday, when I was in my room I’ve noticed a box with a picture. Then I caught myself smiling alone – it was a picture of my father and I when I was a kid during a visit to Manila Zoo. Yes, Manila zoo has been one of the favorite places my family would visit whenever we were free. Though some details have been forgotten due to the passage of time, the collection of pictures we have kept continues to tell the story of how wonderful childhood memories are.
My memories of Manila Zoo
The last time I went to Manila Zoo was last year together with my brother and his family. As always, we were first greeted by the Manila Zoo's lone elephant, Mali. He is quite old but still catches the attention of many visitors. There are some sites which are great for taking pictures, but the most memorable things to capture on camera are the wacky things and crazy snapshots.
Tables for family picnics can also be found inside the park. Kids can also play at the children’s playground with swings, slides, monkey bars and many more. My unforgettable moment was when my brother and I tried the small man-made lake. I felt nervous, to be honest, but a cruise on the lake was quite enjoyable and relaxing.
Man-made Lake in Manila Zoo
Our whole day in Manila Zoo was very pleasurable. Although I m old enough to appreciate these things, they still make good memories for me to keep.
A day at Manila Zoo
With a fairly good balance of educational and entertainment attractions, Manila Zoo does its best to appeal to everyone. Located along Adriatico St., Manila, the zoo also has canteens, souvenir shops, boat rentals at the lagoon, and several playgrounds that cater to children and tourists.
About Manila Zoological and Botanical Garden
Manila Zoological and Botanical Garden first opened its doors to the public on July 25, 1959. One reason why we visit the place is not only to spend our free time there, but also to learn more about nature and commune with it. The garden serves as one of the educational centers in the country where the viewing public can observe, discover and learn interesting facts about the beauty of Philippine fauna and flora.
With a land area of 5.5 hectares, Manila Zoo is home to about 500 animals. There are 106 species, among which are 30 different kinds of mammals, 63 reptile species and 13 types of birds. In addition to popular zoo occupants such as the elephant, tigers, lions and the hippos, Manila Zoo also houses several endemic and indigenous species of animals like the bearcat, long-tailed macaques and crocodiles.
The zoo is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Entrance fee for non Manila City residents is P40 for adults and P20 for kids below four feet. For residents, it’s P20 for adults and P10 for children.
How to get there
Manila Zoo can be found along Quirino Ave., Adriatico St., Malate, Manila City.