The Avilon Zoo in the Philippines

The Avilon Zoo is located in San Isidro, Rodriguez, Rizal which is in the country of the Philippines. It is almost 19 acres being one of the largest in the Philippines. The zoo is about a 40 to 55 minute drive from Metro Manila. The fee to enter Avilon Zoo is P208 or $4.52 and if visitors prefer to have a guided tour, the fee is P350 or $7.61. An entire walk through the Avilon Zoo will take a visitor about 3 hours in time so make sure to take this in consideration when visiting.

The Avilon Zoo has an astonishing number of over 3,000 animals which includes over 600 species. One of the most popular attractions there is the Malayan Tapir and the conservation status of this animal is currently listed as vulnerable which means it is close to extinction. One of the goals of the Avilon Zoo is to not only show the beauty of wildlife but to conserve and breed animals that are endangered.

Other large attractions are the hyenas, lions, bears as well as the tigers. They also have endangered animals that are indigenous like the mouse deer, Palawan badgers and the musangs. The Avilon Zoo also has a large lair for lions which is close to 3,600 square yards! The lions are also provided with a shelter made of rock for shade as well as protection and a moat that is filled with plants along fish.

Visitors can also see small monkeys along with bats that were known to be in regions of the Atlantic Coastal Forest which is located in Brazil. These monkeys and bats currently dwell at the zoo in a tunnel that is like a cave that has temperature as well as lighting that is controlled for the animals.

The Avilon Zoo is home to over 1,000 species of birds. The Victoria Crowned Pigeon is always a crowd pleaser when it will occasionally fly off and sit on a branch that is actually close to where visitors can take spectacular pictures of this beautiful bird.

The Avilon Zoo also has scorpions, snakes as well as spiders that live in large cases made of glass. Visitors can additionally view animals such as kangaroos, otters, horses, ostriches, deer and pigs. These animals are able to wander about freely in fenced in areas.

One of the largest freshwater fish makes its home at Avilon Zoo which is the Arapimas. The zoo has lagoons that are man made for this fish.

Tour guides at the zoo have stated that the animals that dwell there live twice as long due to the fact they are free from predators. So if you ever take a visit to the Philippines and you are near Manila, consider going to the Avilon Zoo. It will be worth the trip!