You will pass by a short bridge and beyond that you will see Avilon's viewing tower artistically made like a native hut. My son was quite restless knowing that we've arrived. Like I was at their age, we were made to fall-in line and calling our names and need to shout...PRESENT! As we took a step across their inner gate, their calm cool nicely man-made lagoon welcome us.
The tour was very nice. The place is very nice. The animals were generally peaceful that day...they were very nice. The number of species exhibited are good...enough for you to say that this is a zoo alright! The landscape and overall design of the zoo is cool. Excellent!
I tell you, in half-way of our tour...I've just realized that I was more excited than my son Kim! I kept saying..."Wow! Kim! Look at that...oh, real tiger...oh what the...real hyenas!" There is no zoo like it in the Philippines.
AVILON had its un seeming beginnings when Mr. Jake Gaw, an avid animal hobbyist who,at the age of four had his first encounter with animals while staying at his grandpa's farm in Sta. Ana,Manila (still quite rural then) mingled among goats, cows, pigs and chickens at the farm. This initial encounter would make such a lasting impression on young Jake that he carried his interest in animals from then on. Thus, from guppies and budgies, Jake over the years extended and expanded his interest and collection to arapaimas and eagles and lions and macaques, pythons,etc.
Overall, it was the zoo's management that most impressed the visitors. Carefully designed enclosures allowed visitors to come up close, and it was obvious that the animals were being given excellent veterinary care. The signs near each enclosure were informative and the tour guides augmented the information with colorful anecdotes about the particular animal in each cage.
I give a high-five for this zoo!Check out their website, http://www.avilonzoo.com.ph