Malabon Zoo owner appeals for donations

MANILA, Philippines — The owner of the Malabon Zoo has appealed for help to feed its animals, some named after celebrities, and to go on with housekeeping work as it remains closed to visitors due to government restrictions amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a letter sent to The STAR yesterday, Malabon Zoo, Aquarium and Botanical Garden founder Manny Tangco wrote, “We come knocking at your kind heart, if you have the extra funds, to donate to the Malabon Zoo Foundation for the food of the zoo animals.”

The closure of the zoo in Barangay Potrero, which had been in the industry for 31 years, since the strictest lockdown in March proved to be a “predicament in our need for source of money,” he said.

He pointed out in previous interviews that, since the shutdown, he started spending his savings and borrowing money from his relatives to keep the zoo’s animals well fed until he eventually asked for donations.

“Nanlimos na ako ng (I have since been begging for) donations for the zoo,” Tangco said.

The zoo – famous for its wild animals named after current and former presidents, politicians, actors and other celebrities – opted to receive cash donations as it is reluctant to accept in-kind donations because of the virus, he noted.

Donations can be sent to the checking account of Malabon Zoo Foundation at its Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) account numbered 4641-0003-32.

Tangco’s only hope for next year is both for the COVID-19 pandemic to end and for the zoo to reopen to visitors.

“But we will follow the wisdom of the government if they will not allow us to open yet,” he added.