‘Animals should be part of Valentine’s Day’

MANILA, Philippines — People should love animals, particularly their pets, the founder of the Malabon Zoo, Aquarium and Botanical Garden said yesterday.

“Animals should be part of the Valentine’s Day celebration because of the unconditional love that animals provide us 365 days of the year (through) food, clothing, shelter (and) happiness,” Manny Tangco said.

He added humans should be more conscious about preserving nature to repay the “love” given by other creatures.

“In return, we humans should reduce, reuse, recycle, protect and conserve the environment and the remaining forests and oceans and rivers and lakes on which the animals depend for their survival,” Tangco said.

He allowed visitors to pose for photos with a tiger at the zoo as part of a pre-Valentine’s Day celebration with the theme, “Pet ko, Date ko!”

Visitors also brought their pets to the zoo. While some brought dogs, others brought more unusual pets such as hedgehogs and lovebirds.

Tangco hopes that by visiting his zoo, he would be able to inspire guests, particularly the youth, to “love nature.”