Zoo head to explain situation of animals

CEBU, Philippines - The manager of the Cebu Zoo is scheduled to appear before the Cebu City Council next week to explain the current situation of the animals in the facility.

Acting Mayor Edgardo Labella said Giovanni Romarate has to present plans on how to address the “lack of space” at the zoo and “has to spell out the needs and how much the zoo needed to be able to meet the needs of the animals.”

The zoo is in hot water after the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals  Asia pointed out the inadequate space for the animals in the zoo. There are at least 100 animals in the facility.

 â€œImportante ang mga mananap i-place in a situation nga mo simulate sa ilang habitat because cage is not advisable and not conducive for animals,” Labella said.

 PETA Asia Vice President for International Operations Jason Baker has asked the city government to improve the zoo, pointing out that the 7.6-hectare facility is inadequate to house more than 100 animals.

 The lack of space, Baker said, is giving the animals restraints in their movement, which can weaken their bodies.

 He said the facility’s enclosures must be widened and upgraded to secure the “welfare of the animals”.

 The city government has allocated at least P10 million for the improvement of the animals’ cages, botanical garden, among others.

 Labella assured that the city would allocate funding for the rehabilitation of the zoo that houses monkeys, civets, snakes, birds, crocodile, and other species.

 â€œWe really support PETA. And so we need to improve our facility,” he said.  (FREEMAN)