Manila Zoo and Botanical Gardens, opened in 1959, covers an area of 5.5 hectares. To date, it is the the largest and oldest zoo in the Philippines. It is visited by millions millions of tourists every year, especially on weekends and public holidays.
The zoo is home to more than 600 animals, including 150 reptiles, 299 birds and 159 mammals. Here you can see the Asian buffalo, the rare Asiatic deer (the world's smallest), Palawan pheasant, iguanas, crocodiles, owls, tigers, turtles and other animals. But the most popular "resident" is Mali, an Asian elephant who, orphaned as a baby, was brought here from Sri Lanka. The zoo has a wildlife rescue centre. Wildlife Rescue Centre, which serves as a temporary home for sick and injured wildlife, as well as for animals that have been confiscated by customs from poachers.
As for the botanical garden, it features many species of of plants and trees from the Philippine Islands and the South Pacific region - about 500 species in all. Aside from the botanical garden proper with a variety of floral collections, there is also a tree nursery.
Today, the zoo hosts a variety of shows with the participation of animals, children's playgrounds are organised, picnic areas are arranged, pavilions, souvenir shops, souvenir shops. Inside there is a Children's Zoo, where young visitors can interact with domestic and trained animals, learn a lot about their lives and living conditions.
Despite the huge popularity among the people, the zoo has repeatedly become a the object of criticism because of rubbish on its territory and inadequate conditions for the animals. It is worth noting that the administration is making efforts to change the current state of affairs - new plants are regularly planted and enclosures for animals are expanded. The reptile house has been modernised, and in the near future the enclosure for small mammals will be expanded. There are also plans to acquire giraffes and zebras.
