Sa Ark Avilon Zoo - Pasig City, Metro Manila

   Taking your child to somewhere fun and educational is a great way to spend a weekend. Last time, my son had a wonderful experience at the Manila Ocean Park. This time, I took him to a zoo near our place: The Ark Avilon Zoo.

   The Ark Avilon Zoo is located at Frontera Verde, Ortigas Avenue corner C-5, Pasig City. 

   Here are the entrance fees as of June 2016:

• Regular Entrance Rate - Php 400
• Below 3 feet - Php 300
• Senior Citizen/PWD with ID - (20% Discount)

• Walk-in Group Rate (10 persons or more) - Php 340
• Below 3 feet - Php 250
• Senior Citizen/PWD with ID - Php 320

• Advance Tickets (Purchased at least 1 day prior to use) - Php 300

   This mini zoo greatly resembles the Noah's Ark and is open daily from 9:00AM to 6:00PM.

   Upon entering, we saw birds like the eagle and the hawk proudly standing on a pedestal beside the gate and ready to pose for the camera. On the other side is where you can see the ticketing booth and the souvenir shop.

   Wild mammals such as the Lion, Jaguar, Meerkat, Javan Leopard and the Black-Tailed Prairie Dog are showcased on the ground floor. The White Tiger elegantly sits on the upper tier of rocks as we passed by.

   Children can also play on the rockers placed at the center of the hallway.

   On the further back of the ground floor is a small mossy pond. We walked along the bridge and my son enjoyed watching the ducks as they eat. We haven't found any but there were crocodiles under the bridge the last time we've been there. Vines and plants all over the place made the landscape more pleasing in the eye.

   At the corner beside the bridge is a huge cage where we saw colorful birds flying and playing around.

   We climbed up a fancy stair where decorations made from recycled materials are displayed. Then on the second floor, we saw terrariums where different kinds of snakes and other reptiles reside.

   On the other side of the hallway are cages where birds like the Luzon Tarictic Hornbill, Palawan Hornbill, Spotted Imperial Pigeon, Victoria Crowned Pigeon and others where nested. Small birds like the maya fly freely inside and out of the cage to eat or play with the other birds.

Top (left to right): Gold-ringed Cat Snake, Corn Snake.
Bottom (left to right): Green Tree Python, Luzon Marbled Water Monitor Lizard

   As we enjoy seeing different kinds of reptiles and birds along the hallway, a zookeeper startled us as he walked towards us holding a large yellow snake! He said we can have a picture with that friendly reptile for 50 pesos.

   Farm animals like donkey, sheep, goat and the Bornean Pygmy Pig can also be found in this zoo. One can feed them with vegetables that can be bought for 50 pesos.

   Cute hamsters, rabbits and guinea pigs eagerly wait for visitors to give them food as they play around their pen. My son had fun feeding the hamsters as they binge on the carrot skewered on a stick.

   We didn't have a chance to take a picture with Venus the orangutan since it is time for her to rest. But an African Spurred Tortoise named Speedy got our attention as we thought he's just a statue seeing that he's not moving at all for some time.

Speedy the Tortoise

   While we're taking pictures with Speedy, I didn't notice that there is a sleeping bear cat on a wooden plank just above my head. This cute and cuddly mammal enjoys eating bananas that visitors gave to him. The bananas are also available for 50 pesos. A staff said if the bear cat doesn't want to eat the banana, we should not give it to Venus the orangutan and just give it to the donkey instead.

   Beside Venus' room is a stall where there are cats of different breeds. I don't know if they are for sale, but they all look very playful and cuddle-some.

   There is also a small cafeteria on the upper level of the zoo. Passing through it, one may see the other kinds of birds where you can take a picture with for 50 pesos. My son was delighted in seeing the birds perch on our shoulders and head.

   And that's it. We spent roughly 2 hours wandering around this well maintained zoo. The cleanliness of the place and the friendliness of their staff is what I admired on this place. The animals looked happy and doesn't seem to be stressed. But some looked bored at times (I wonder if the animals have day-offs or vacations too). Well, I'm assured that they are all taken good care of seeing the zookeepers and the vets giving them nutritious food and checking them out every now and then.

   Aside from this zoo, one can also check out other exciting places nearby. The Las Farolas located at the back of the zoo features different kinds of freshwater fishes. The kids may also enjoy jumping on the trampoline of the Jump Yard located right beside the zoo. And next to it is the Fun Ranch where my son enjoyed riding the train and other rides.

   The whole experience is fun and educational. My son obviously enjoyed meeting different kinds of animals. The fee is a bit expensive, but it's all worth it. Seeing my happy son wear a steady smile all day is priceless.