THE newly rehabilitated Manila Zoo will be open to the public for free for the whole month of January.
Manila Mayor Isko Moreno on Thursday announced that “Bukas na po ang Manila Zoo. Libre na po siya for the entire month of January.”
Moreno said the zoo’s capacity at a given time, as well as its opening and closing hours, had yet to be determined.
“Antabayanan po ninyo anong dami lamang na tatanggapin in a given time ,” Moreno said.
“I-aannounce namin anong oras magbubukas ang Manila Zoo sa umaga at anong oras magsasara ang Manila Zoo sa gabi ),” he added.
Moreno said the zoo would be open even after dark to feature a “night safari.”
More animals will be added, he said.
“Huwag kayo mag-alala dahil lumaki ang espayo ng sisidlan o kulungan ng mga hayop. Mamimili pa tayo ng hayop at mangunguha pa tayo ng mga animal. At maghahanap pa tayo ng mga buwaya at mga tsonggo at unggoy,” Moreno said at the soft opening of the Manila Zoo, now known as the Manila Zoological and Botanical Garden.
Moreno also revealed of plans to open the Manila Zoo at night.
“Hindi lang sa araw makikita ang Manila Zoo. Ito ay magbubukas kahit sa gabi. Kaya hindi niyo na kailangang magpunta sa Zingapore Zoo or what they call Night Safari,” he said.
Following the recent increase in COVID-19 cases, Moreno said Manila Zoo, which occupies 5.5 hectares of space, will have a capacity of 6,257 people if the two-meter distancing is followed, and 9,842 if one-meter distancing is implemented.
Manila Zoo’s reopening coincided with the 125th anniversary of national hero Jose Rizal’s death anniversary.
