Animals find haven in Caloocan barangay

Caloocan City Mayor Enrico "Recom" Echiverri has encouraged residents of the city to visit the mini-zoo in Barangay 78, Zone 7, which serves as a haven of different kinds of animals.

Echiverri said that apart from the free entrance, the Barangay Mini-Zoo managed by barangay chairman Jose Piermino Nicolas would also help foster residents’ understanding of the planet’s creatures.

"I encourage this kind of project dahil may kabuluhan ang mga ganitong gawain para sa kalikasan natin.  At least, mayroong mini-zoo dito sa Caloocan na puwedeng puntahan ang mga kabataan natin lalo na ang mga estudyante at maitaas ang kamulatan nila sa pag-aalaga ng mga hayop," he explained.

The Barangay Mini-Zoo is located at 139 General Pio Valenzuela street, Caloocan. From Monumento, those who want to visit the zoo would have to go to McArthur Highway, left to Calle Cuatro and left to Pio Valenzuela.

Nicolas personally takes care of the animals, which include exotic and endangered species. 

"Maliit lang itong lugar, mga 100 to 150 square meters lang. Nasa labas ang mga hayop na puwedeng hawakan ng mga bisita. Puwede ring silang magpakuha ng litrato kasama ang mga ito," he said.

Nicolas said entrance is free. He spends P2,000 every day for the food of the animals.

Nicolas said is very grateful to vendors and visitors who give donations like fruits and meat for the animals.

He also assured City Hall that the animals are healthy and have appropriate permits from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Nicolas said he bought some of the animals from owners who wanted to slaughter them, while others were given away by those who can no longer afford to take care of them.

Animals in the zoo include an Albino Burmese python, ferret; flying fox or fruit bat, Palawan Hill mynah; Palawan bearcat; Philippine Palm civet, scorpion, leopard cat, owl, Savannah monitor lizard; Waglers pit viper, Tarictic hornbill and Albino milk snake.Nicolas has 54 animals under his care.