Calls for proper care of zoo animals were raised after a post showing a lion’s condition at a tourist attraction in Pampanga gained traction online.
On June 20, a Reddit user shared a video of a lion they spotted while visiting the Clark Safari and Adventure Park in Subic.
The uploader said they felt “sad” after seeing the condition of some of the animals at the attraction, including the lion featured in the video.
The lion was seen with its mouth wide open, appearing to pant.
“Umuwi kami with a heavy heart; sobrang concerning conditions nila, just wishing they can be free na lang,” the Redditor wrote in the “r/Philippines” community.
“It’s not just him [or] her, but other animals were clearly struggling with our hot weather. Some of their areas have no water nearby or madumi ang tubig. So sad that most of them aren’t really taken care of nicely; judging from afar,” the uploader claimed.
“Our country DOES NOT deserve zoos, lalo na ganito ang pag-aalaga nila! I hope this reaches to the right authorities [or] agencies!” the Redditor added. “They need to do something about this.”
Nakakaawang Lion sa Clark Safari
by
u/spicykwekkwek in
Philippines
The post has garnered 4,800 upvotes, 34 awards and 256 comments, with some online users also sharing their own experiences visiting the zoo.
“‘Yan ang isa sa mga zoo na ‘di namin babalikan. May private tour pang nalalaman pero kita mo ‘yung animals, ang papayat,” a Reddit user commented.
“‘Yung mga iguana na naka-glass cage, lapitan mo lang, magkukumpol sila sayo kasi gutom na gutom. ‘Yung white na wolf, stressed na sa life, pacing na siya sa enclosure niya. ‘Yung isang snake, na-emergency care nung andun kami, bigla na lang nilabas sa cage tapos dinala sa vet,” the Reddit user added.
“Natuwa yung anak namin kasi mahilig siya sa animals talaga, pero kami ng asawa ko, nalungkot sa lagay ng animals,” the Redditor said.
“Lalo na ‘yung mga bears at wolves diyan, init na init, ‘di na nga akma climate ng Pinas para sa kanila, wala pa yatang space sa enclosure nila na pwede silang magpalamig,” another Reddit user said.
“My uncle took us there as a treat, and not to be ungrateful kasi he was being generous to us, but it was so depressing. The animals look like they all have kennel syndrome,” a different Reddit user shared.
“There was a tiger pacing around a pole! Not that there was much space in the containment, but he was pacing in such a small radius! He just kept going!” the Reddit user added.
“We had to move on cause they usher the guests to walk on so other people can come up, but our group got split up, so we ended up back at the pacing tiger looking for our other relatives and the tiger was still going! Like, an hour later! The bearcat was pacing sadly, too. The alligator pit was soooooo crowded and pretty filthy,” the Redditor said.
“Also went there last April this year. Underweight lahat ng lions, as in. They were pacing around nonstop at ang filthy ng mga cages nila. Ang filthy nga rin ng alligator spot. Super depressing talaga at ang mahal ng fee,” another Redditor wrote.
The Clark Safari and Adventure Park describes itself as a “top destination” featuring 4,000 live animals and offering visitors an “immersive animal experience.”
The 40-hectare sanctuary claims to have habitats “designed to feel like the animals’ natural homes, providing a respectful and authentic environment for them.”
It also offers visitors activities such as horseback riding, lion or tiger cub feeding, bear feeding and encounters with animals including birds, snake and a baby crocodile.