I visited Avilon Zoo in Manila back in 2016, than again yesterday, and noted a few changes.
The Frigate Bird was gone, as expected from a species with maybe poor ability to adapt to a captive situation long term.
There was still a Bobcat, probably the same one, as it looked a bit geriatric although basically fit.
The three species of had morphed into Northern, Southern and Dwarf x Single-wattled hybrid.
A single Pygmy Hippopotamus was still present, a new addition being an utterly charming and sociable apparently juvenile River Hippo.
A largely dark red macaw, reminiscent of one of the extinct Caribbean species, turned out to be an F2 hybrid, )Blue & Yellow x Scarlet) x Green-winged. Irrespective of any arguments around hybrid breeding, it was to my eyes a very beautiful bird.
What was less than ideal? Excellent Chelonian collection, some poorly housed, passable range of snakes in slightly sub-par accommodation.
Single Giraffe in small paved yard with attached stable. Obese and apparently aged Spotted Hyena inadequately housed. African Wild Dogs with insufficient space. Small birds in small darkish cages. Really good signage that in places obscured the exhibits. Disappointing Galliforme section.
Highlights:
Positively stellar pigeon collection with Bkack-knobbed, Zoe’s Band-tailed, Cream-bellied and Pinon among the Imperials, and Yellow-breasted and Black-chinned among the Fruit Doves. Golden-heart and many Luzon Bleedinghearts. The bird of prey collection was well housed, feather perfect and included such delights as two harrier taxa and some stunning Philippine Falconets. The few waterfowl included a lovely group of the endemic Philippine Duck, and a few Wandering Whistling Ducks, both of which we also saw wild on this trip.
The parrot collection was quite comprehensive, including Jardine’s, Brown-headed, at least eight Lory taxa, Desmarest’s Fig Parrot and two pairs of Pesquet’s.
The tall aviaries for large hornbills must be among the best anywhere, and the inclusion of Orange-rumped Agouti at ground level was ecologically if not geographically appropriate. It’s always a surprise to see how comparatively huge these are in comparison with Azara’s Agouti, which I see a lot more often.
The Crocodilan collection, all outdoors in this climate, is magnificent and fairly complete, I cling Philippine, Saltwater and at least one Tomistoma.
Mammal highlights included Dorcopsis, Palawan Mongoose, and a free ranging very pretty grey and white squirrel, which may have been an escaped Variable Squirrel. We were unable to ascribe it to any native species.
Oh yes! Fish. Large Arapaima in the lake near the entrance, up to two meters long, very impressive. Wide range of species in variously sized aquaria nearby, some very large, some seemingly grossly overcrowded, but nearly all in beautiful condition.
This is a zoo I would always return to when opportunity permits, with a few rough bits but innumerable highlights and a few lovely surprises.
The Frigate Bird was gone, as expected from a species with maybe poor ability to adapt to a captive situation long term.
There was still a Bobcat, probably the same one, as it looked a bit geriatric although basically fit.
The three species of had morphed into Northern, Southern and Dwarf x Single-wattled hybrid.
A single Pygmy Hippopotamus was still present, a new addition being an utterly charming and sociable apparently juvenile River Hippo.
A largely dark red macaw, reminiscent of one of the extinct Caribbean species, turned out to be an F2 hybrid, )Blue & Yellow x Scarlet) x Green-winged. Irrespective of any arguments around hybrid breeding, it was to my eyes a very beautiful bird.
What was less than ideal? Excellent Chelonian collection, some poorly housed, passable range of snakes in slightly sub-par accommodation.
Single Giraffe in small paved yard with attached stable. Obese and apparently aged Spotted Hyena inadequately housed. African Wild Dogs with insufficient space. Small birds in small darkish cages. Really good signage that in places obscured the exhibits. Disappointing Galliforme section.
Highlights:
Positively stellar pigeon collection with Bkack-knobbed, Zoe’s Band-tailed, Cream-bellied and Pinon among the Imperials, and Yellow-breasted and Black-chinned among the Fruit Doves. Golden-heart and many Luzon Bleedinghearts. The bird of prey collection was well housed, feather perfect and included such delights as two harrier taxa and some stunning Philippine Falconets. The few waterfowl included a lovely group of the endemic Philippine Duck, and a few Wandering Whistling Ducks, both of which we also saw wild on this trip.
The parrot collection was quite comprehensive, including Jardine’s, Brown-headed, at least eight Lory taxa, Desmarest’s Fig Parrot and two pairs of Pesquet’s.
The tall aviaries for large hornbills must be among the best anywhere, and the inclusion of Orange-rumped Agouti at ground level was ecologically if not geographically appropriate. It’s always a surprise to see how comparatively huge these are in comparison with Azara’s Agouti, which I see a lot more often.
The Crocodilan collection, all outdoors in this climate, is magnificent and fairly complete, I cling Philippine, Saltwater and at least one Tomistoma.
Mammal highlights included Dorcopsis, Palawan Mongoose, and a free ranging very pretty grey and white squirrel, which may have been an escaped Variable Squirrel. We were unable to ascribe it to any native species.
Oh yes! Fish. Large Arapaima in the lake near the entrance, up to two meters long, very impressive. Wide range of species in variously sized aquaria nearby, some very large, some seemingly grossly overcrowded, but nearly all in beautiful condition.
This is a zoo I would always return to when opportunity permits, with a few rough bits but innumerable highlights and a few lovely surprises.
