(PH) Article on Manila Zoo

[Guest guest]

http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=peterWallace_may9_2008

 

A zoo to call our own

*Friday, May 9, 2008*

 

 

My 24 year-old daughter, Nikki, decided she didn't like the way I wrote

about the zoo last week, and that she could do better.

 

A proud dad agrees. So here she is:

 

Filipinos have so much to be proud of, and as such so much to offer to our

community and indeed tourists. We have a cuisine unlike that of any other

Asian nation (did you know that the Philippines is the only Asian country

where people do not use chopsticks?), a rich history of trials and

eventually victories, stunning beaches, breathtaking mountains, the

jeepney—and of course, without a doubt our greatest asset—the Filipino

people, with a smile and hospitality famous worldwide.

 

But how many Filipinos are aware that the over 7,100 islands that they call

home is also known as one of the world's biologically richest countries? For

the laypersons among us that means that we have more species of animals and

plants that are found here and nowhere else (endemic species) than in almost

every other country. We have over 6,000 plant species, the mouse deer, the

Philippine tarsier, the Philippine eagle, and the panther flying frog. The

list goes on and on. Looking further, we find more species that may not be

endemic but are equally fascinating and charismatic—like the binturong, a

tree-dwelling mammal that looks like the cross between a bear and a cat (but

is actually neither) and smells like corn chips!

 

I challenge you however, to find someone in your household that knows this

fact. Harder still, I challenge you to find someone that has seen these

creatures.

 

The simple fact is that awareness of these rich national treasures is low to

non-existent. And because of this, the Philippines is also known as one of

the most endangered areas in the world. Again, for the laymen among us—if

nothing is done, it will not be long before these very special, very

uniquely Filipino animals die and be lost forever. All we will have is a

couple of photographs and a reputation as the country that had so much to

treasure—and ultimately lost it.

 

So now the only question to ask is why? Why are we allowing these creatures

to die? Why are we willing to lose the title of " one of the world's most

biologically rich countries " ? Believe me, this title is not just beneficial

for boasting rights, but it enables us to build an economy on tourism—think

of Australia and their koalas and kangaroos or South Africa and its many

national parks filled with lions and giraffes or China and the giant panda

and India with its magnificent elephants?

 

The answer is easy—there is a ridiculous lack of education on the matter.

You ask any Australian child to name five animals and I guarantee you that

three to five of them will be species endemic to Australia. Now ask a

Filipino child the same and you will probably get: dog, cat, cow, horse and

(hopefully) carabao.

 

We cannot be proud of what we do not know. And indeed, we cannot love what

we do not understand.

 

And this is where zoos come in. Zoos have come a long way over the past few

decades. They are now places to come and learn about animals, to be in the

presence of (what is in my opinion) greatness, and to understand why it is

so important to ensure that we look after the animals and ensure their

survival, even if it is just so that your children will be able to

experience the same thrill you did when you saw your first elephant or when

you discovered the tiny little tarsier with his big eyes looking at you from

behind a leaf. The top zoos around the world offer information on each of

its residents through plaques and posters and keeper talks and even present

shows on some to truly awe you. Further, zoos are now centers for research

and they run breeding programs—fighting for the conservation of the

creatures we share our planet with.

 

So why is it that the Philippines does not have good zoos? Manila Zoo is

probably one of my favorite zoos in the world (and that is saying a lot as I

am a zoo junkie, having visited many with my mom and dad)—not because of its

greatness but because of its potential. The trees must be centuries old and

they do a fantastic job of blinding you from the fact that you are in the

heart of the city. It could offer an opportunity to come up close to a huge

number of animals that you will not see anywhere else, and ultimately it

could offer these animals a fighting chance against extinction. With the

right leadership and financial support, it could very well be one of the

best zoos, with visitors coming from right across the globe to see something

truly special.

 

Unfortunately, Manila Zoo is run down, is ill-funded and is being run by the

wrong people. Although I know many people will disagree and will have a good

laugh about this: Zoos are no place for politicians. And, yes, I understand

the logic that government money is better spent on the people but this does

not have to be the end of the zoo. As my dad said last week, it is not

unusual for corporations to sponsor exhibits in the zoo, for individuals and

companies to be " zoo parents " (as it is called in Sydney) and for the

community to make donations through money, support and time. Gift shops and

food outlets in zoos see their profits go straight back to the care of the

animals, not into someone's pocket. This could easily be the case in Manila

Zoo.

 

I urge every Filipino to rally behind this cause and to take pride in what

is uniquely ours. It is wrong to think that you do not have the power to

make a change. After all, politicians are interested in keeping their people

happy—otherwise they lose the votes. (I also urge you to go online and read

about the other pride of the Philippines—our endemic animals. I promise it

will not disappoint.)

 

I also would like to appeal to Mayor Lim to use his influence to help make

Manila Zoo a place that he and all the Filipino people can be proud of, to

give Filipinos one more thing to boast about. "

 

The bottom line of all what Nikki says, and I say is that the zoo must stay.

No great city in the world doesn't have a zoo. Is Manila to be the first?

 

And if anybody cuts the century-old magnificent trees I will hire an

assassin to do what they did to the trees.

 

But seriously, we have to think of more than just money in life. Heaven

doesn't have a bank, you can't transfer your wealth there. You just have

your descendants fighting over it. The zoo provides real excitement for

people coupled with a worthwhile, necessary learning experience.

 

We share this world with ever so many others, we need to understand them. A

zoo helps to do this.

 

Everyone agrees the Philippines has much to overcome, the problems are

almost insurmountable. And, heaven knows, I've discussed these often enough,

but here's something that matters beyond our human problems.

 

We need to protect and understand our partners on this planet. Not throw

them away for some basketball court.

 

Comment to my columns can be sent to plw or text to

0920.929.2929