I can't remember the last time I went to a zoo. The only thing that I can remember is Manila Zoo which we often go to whenever my mom is home here in the Philippines. I don't even know what to see at a zoo except for the familiar animals. We also don't have those field trips to the zoo or anything like that. Fieldtrips at my elementary school always include Museong Pambata, Luneta Parks and the likes. I know, it sounds so sad but believe me that I did enjoy my childhood a lot (sa kalye nga lang :p). So as much as possible, as long as I have all the time (my mom is an ofw kasi), I want to share things that I don't experience before. One of those is going to a zoo or seeing animals in real life. My kids knew a few animals but their favorite is fish. I planned on going to Manila Ocean Park but I postponed it and just go there on their birthdays on January. I also thought of going to Nuvali for the Koi fishes but that can still wait.
Then came the idea of Ark Avilon Zoo near Tiendesitas so they can still play at Fun Ranch rather than the one in Montalban. I purchased Metrodeal vouchers for our ticket at Ark Avilon Zoo for P259 each, 12 months below is free of charge. It was raining when we got there and a few people. We were with another family so it was easy to roam around.
Ark Avilon Zoo is an indoor zoo which looks like you are on an ark. It was built to resemble the biblical Noah's Ark. It has 2 storey floor with various species: tigers, lions, penguins, birds, snakes, meerkats, prairie dogs, binturongs, giant tortoise, and many more.
But as soon as we went inside and saw the animals, I wanted to back-out. It seems that it was not a great idea for the kids to see the animals this way. My partner actually agreed and told me that we shouldn't have gone there. To spare your time from going there, I am listing the sad expectations at Ark Avilon Zoo.
1. Limited Animals. Expect to see less animals. Yes, there were tigers, lions, meerkat etc. but that's just it.
2. Sad Animals. Well you can't expect the animals to be happy being on a cage and dark area. We really felt the sadness and uninteraction from them.
3. Price is not worth it. We purchase the vouchers on a discount, even then, I still think that the amount we paid was not worth it. Regular price is at P500. They have a promo offer on their site at P300 and P259 from Metrodeal.
4. The place is not well maintained. As you go to the 2nd floor, you can already smell the foul smell. I pity those farm animals too as their roof are not constructed well and they are all wet from the rain.
While we don't really bother on the prices for feeding the animals, (P50 is still pricey for one carrot) this is the only one that my kids enjoyed during their visit at the Ark Avilon Zoo.
I know I can't do anything about these animals because again this is a zoo. But the only help that I can do is not to patronize this kind of zoo's. I felt really guilty. I am now thinking if we will still go to Manila Ocean Park. Is it okay to go there? Besides those are fishes naman. I am highly considering the Nuvali Koi fishes. I know that my kids will enjoy the feeding more than anything else. Maybe we should go to a more nature zoo instead on an enclosed one. What do you think guys? Any suggestions?
Ark Avilon Zoo
Frontera Verde Ortigas Ave. corner C-5, Pasig City
Tel. (02) 706-2992
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