PETA: Isla should not be imprisoned in Manila Zoo

MANILA, Philippines — The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has voiced opposition against the plan to keep lion cub Isla at the Manila Zoo.

In a statement, PETA senior vice president Jason Baker said instead of confining Isla in the zoo, she should be taken to a sanctuary or released in the wild.

“PETA condemns Manila Zoo’s decision to imprison yet another innocent animal. Isla, a baby lion, is the latest victim in the zoo’s collection of suffering, living beings,” Baker said.

“Manila Zoo has repeatedly shown that it cannot meet the basic standards of care for the animals it imprisons,” he added.

The animal rights group said the lion cub should be turned over to experts who can give her utmost care before being released back into the wild.

Isla was recently given to the zoo by the Manila Achievers Lions Club.

The zoo management said it would not yet show Isla to the public to make her stronger.

The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) said if the city government truly cares for the welfare of animals, it should stop adding more wild animals to the Manila Zoo.

PAWS issued the statement after Mayor Honey Lacuna posed for a photograph while holding Isla and watching the 10-month-old cub inside a cage.

“Keeping wild animals in barren enclosures inflicts psychological cruelty on them,” the group said.

According to PAWS, Manila Zoo has a dismal record of providing proper diets, enclosures and adequate veterinary care to wild animals being kept in the facility.

PAWS said the zoo’s former main attraction, the elephant Mali who died of congestive heart failure in 2023, did not receive regular health monitoring such as disease screening and blood examinations.

The group urged animal lovers to avoid visiting Manila Zoo and other captive wildlife facilities.

“This way, we can send a strong message to zoo owners that wild animals do not deserve to be caged and displayed,” PAWS said.

The group said people should instead support sanctuaries dedicated to the rehabilitation and protection of wildlife, such as the Philippine Eagle Foundation and Project Curma.