Transfer of Cebu City Zoo animals set next month

At least 77 animals from Cebu City Zoo are scheduled for transfer to Amlan, Negros Oriental next month to give them better habitat.

Dr. Alice Utlang, head of the Department of Veterinary, Medicine and Fisheries, said the transfer is set for May 15. She said it is part of the preparation for the closure of the zoo.

“Naa nay transport permit ug naa nay sulat sa Amlan nga tentative nga pag-transport sa hayop padung didto,” she said.

Utlang said animals that will be transported to Amlan Dreamland and Nature Park in Negros include Palm Civet Cats, Sugar Gliders, Saltwater Crocodiles, Red-eared Slider, Asian Box Turtles, a Celebes Black Ape, Malay Civet Cat, and a Philippine Crocodile. Mummified reptiles and Aves will be transported also.

The Department of Agriculture through Dr. Raul Migrino earlier declared the zoo as unfit for operation. Migrino observed that the animals were placed in cages instead of enclosures where they could move around like normal.

To keep the animals of Cebu Zoo alive, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-7 decided to transfer them to Amlan Dreamland and Nature Park. The nature park is a 15-hectare facility owned by the Municipality of Amlan, Negros Oriental.

In a separate interview, Rainier Manlegro, Ecosystems Management Specialist at the Enforcement Division of DENR -7, said the animals will still be owned by the Cebu City government. He said it will be on a loan arrangement that these animals will be featured in the exhibit in Amlan.

“We are not the zoo. Ang paagi nalang jud ani kay since Amlan is very capable of accommodating and taking care of those animals, ibalhin nalang nato ang mga existing wildlife na maapektuhan sa pagclose sa Cebu Zoo didto,” he said.

—Nova Valizado, CNU intern/FPL