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Baluarte Zoo is a zoological park in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Philippines. It was established by politician and businessman, Chavit Singson.
| Baluarte Zoo | |
|---|---|
 Baluarte Zoo | |
 | |
| 17°33′07″N 120°22′34″E / 17.55187°N 120.37617°E | |
| Location | Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Philippines |
| Major exhibits | Safari Gallery |
| Owner | Baluarte Zoo Foundation[1] |
History
editThe Baluarte Zoo was established by local politician and businessman, Chavit Singson. Initially it was only a rest house for Singson. The site was already known as Baluarte prior to Singson's arrival, which came from the Spanish term for "stronghold" or "fortress".[1]
Singson, who cites his hunting hobby as his motive in setting up Baluarte only considered opening a zoo when his hunting trophy collection grew too big. He thought that a zoo would serve to edify it patrons aside from promoting conservation and protection of endangered species.[2] Described as an interactive wildlife sanctuary, the facility was designed and developed by Singson himself.[3]
Operations were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the zoo has since reopened.[4]
In 2024, a zoo employee was dismissed for hitting a lion to make it pose for photographs.[5][6]
Features
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Animals in captivity
editThe Baluarte Zoo had various wild animals under captivity. This includes ostriches, Bengal tigers and lions. The zoo also has a butterfly sanctuary.[7]
Safari Gallery
editThe Safari Gallery is a trophy room which features the preserved remains of animals Chavit Singson personally hunted and killed in various parts of the world. Singson intended the gallery for people of Ilocos so they could see exotic animals without going to Manila or outside the country.[2]
Gallery
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References
edit- ^ a b "Baluarte Zoo Foundation Inc". LCS Group of Companies. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
- ^ a b Gonzales, Joseph (August 18, 2016). "A day of fun with animals in Vigan's Baluarte". The Standard. Archived from the original on March 15, 2017. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
- ^ "The success of Luis 'Chavit' Singson". The Manila Standard. August 13, 2016. Archived from the original on February 1, 2017. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
- ^ "Ilocos Sur reopens to tourists". Manila Bulletin. November 21, 2020. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
- ^ "Alleged mistreatment of lion at zoo in Vigan, Ilocos Sur condemned". GMA News. August 20, 2024. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
- ^ Garcia, Nick (August 19, 2024). "Baluarte Zoo terminates employee who was caught physically abusing its lion to pose for photos". Philstar Life. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
- ^ Espinosa-Aritao, Giancarla (November 16, 2018). "Chavit Singson: Keeper of the sanctuary". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
External links
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