Avilon Zoo

Avilon Zoo is a 7.5-hectare (19-acre) zoo located in Barrio San Isidro, Rodriguez, Rizal, Philippines. It is operated by the Avilon Wildlife Conservation Foundation, which also operates the Ark Avilon Zoo.

Avilon Zoo
Avilon Zoo
Date opened2005[1]
LocationBarrio San Isidro, Rodriguez, Rizal, Philippines.
Coordinates
Land area7.5 hectares (19 acres)[2]
No. of animals3000[3]
No. of species600+[3]
MembershipsSEAZA[4]
Websitewww.avilonzoo.ph

Avilon Zoo
Avilon Zoo in Montalban, Rizal, Philippines

Avilon Zoo is currently the largest zoological institution in the Philippines in terms of land area and collection of animals. The 7.5-hectare (19-acre) facility located in Rodriguez, Rizal houses more than 3,000 specimens of exotic wildlife representing more than 600 species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, freshwater fishes and invertebrates. The zoo has a diverse collection of Philippine native fauna, most of which have been bred successfully in captivity through Avilon's ex situ conservation programs. Avilon Zoo is also home to a diverse collection of plants of which more than half are endemic to Philippines. Avilon Zoo aims to be one of Southeast Asia's premiere wildlife facilities.

At Avilon Zoo guided tours and educational field trips offer guests the opportunity to learn about wildlife. Conservation efforts being done to preserve threatened species and to protect the environment. Aside from the animals and exhibits, guests are encouraged to experience feeding animals like arapaimas, exotic water fowl, giant tortoises, wild horses and deer and also interact with the zoo's bunch of talented and friendly creatures.

Avilon Zoo is open everyday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Notable conservation achievement

Avilon Zoo has successfully bred the Gray's monitor lizard (Varanus olivaceus) or "butaan" ex situ (in captivity). The first documented V. olivaceus successfully hatched and reared in captivity was a female named Grasya. The successful hatching was featured in Animal Planet's "BUTAAN: The Lost Dragon".

Ark Avilon Zoo
Frontage of Ark Avilon Zoo

Ark Avilon Zoo is the only interactive indoor zoo in the Philippines. Resembling the biblical Noah's Ark, Ark Avilon Zoo is home to various exotic wildlife like the white tiger, jaguar, sun bear, black-tufted marmoset, pirarucus, Philippine serpent-eagle, lion, tiger, red-vented cockatoo, African spurred tortoise, Victoria crowned pigeon and many more.

Visitors can get up close and personal with Colin the Bornean orangutan, Brutus the miniature horse, Waki the binturong, Arthur the Old English Sheepdog, Cutie the Philippine eagle owl, C-2 the Moluccan cockatoo, Cholo the ball python and many other interactive animals. Visitors can enjoy feeding rabbits, guinea pigs, sheep and other farm animals in the Farmland Feeding Station. Visitors can learn nature arts and crafts. Visitors can play in the Mini Playground. Visitors can celebrate a party or get together on the Upper Deck Activity Area.

Ark Avilon Zoo is in Ortigas East (former Frontera Verde), Ortigas Avenue corner C-5 Road, Pasig, Metro Manila.

Avilon Wildlife Conservation Foundation

Avilon Wildlife Conservation Foundation is a non-profit organization that is committed to significantly contribute to Philippine wildlife conservation efforts through education and ex situ species preservation programs. The foundation currently runs Avilon Zoo in Rodriguez, Rizal and Ark Avilon Zoo in Pasig City.

Avilon Wildlife Conservation Foundation is a member of the Southeast Asian Zoos Association (SEAZA).

Notes
  1. "A Roarin' Time at Avilon". tubagbohol.com. Tubagbohol.com. Retrieved 20 May 2010.
  2. "Avilon Montalban Zoological Park". avilonzoo.com.ph. Avilon Zoo. Archived from the original on 27 January 2010. Retrieved 20 May 2010.
  3. "Avilon Zoo - History". avilonzoo.com.ph. Avilon Zoo. Archived from the original on 27 January 2010. Retrieved 20 May 2010.
  4. "SEAZA Membership List". seaza.org. SEAZA. Retrieved 25 January 2010.
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