The Manila Aquarium was a public aquarium in Intramuros, Manila, Philippines.

Manila Aquarium
Puerto Real, the former site of the aquarium
Date opened1913
LocationPuerto Real, Intramuros, Manila, Philippines

History

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The structure which housed the Manila Aquarium was made by Miguel Antonio Gomez, an engineer, as part of the walled fortification in Manila, Intramuros.[1] It was completed in 1771. In 1913 during the American colonial period.[2] The structure was sustained significant damage in February 1945 during the Battle of Manila of World War II.[1]

President Diosdado Macapagal in the early 1960s pledged for the restoration of Intramuros' walls including the reconstruction of the Manila Aquarium.[3]

The Manila Aquarium was re-established by the Zonta Club in 1968.[1] The aquarium was closed in the 1980s.[4] It opened again briefly as the Acuario de Manila.[5][better source needed]

Facilities

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During the American era, the Manila Aquarium was run by the Bureau of Science. It was housed inside a one-storey structure made of reinforced concrete and had a 85 m × 8 m (279 ft × 26 ft) tunnel. In 1916, there were 27 exhibition tanks installed within the corridor. The aquarium also had two large tanks outside the tunnel which can house crocodiles, sharks, and turtles. Among the aquatic wildlife featured in the Manila Aquarium during this period include sea anemones, crabs, sea urchins, and fishes.[6]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Philippines, National Historical Commission Of The. "National Registry of Historic Sites and Structures in the Philippines: Ang Akwaryum". National Registry of Historic Sites and Structures in the Philippines. National Historical Commission of the Philippines. Archived from the original on October 9, 2021. Retrieved October 9, 2021.
  2. ^ Alcazaren, Paulo (February 7, 2004). "Fish falls and mini golf". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on October 9, 2021. Retrieved October 9, 2021.
  3. ^ Macapagal, Diosdado (1962). Five-year Integrated Socio-economic Program for the Philippines. National Economic Council. Archived from the original on January 23, 2023. Retrieved November 18, 2021. Priority for the second and third year tourist resort development program shall be given to the reconstruction and restoration of the gates and bastions of Intramuros;... the reconstruction of the Manila aquarium...
  4. ^ "Zonta Club of Manila Foundation Inc". zontad17.org. Archived from the original on October 9, 2021. Retrieved October 9, 2021.
  5. ^ Legarda, Loren (August 15, 2019). "Message: Lunduyan ng Tradisyonal na Sining at Kultura". Archived from the original on October 9, 2021. Retrieved October 9, 2021.
  6. ^ Fifteenth Annual Report of the Director of the Bureau of Science. Bureau of Science. 1917. p. 57. Archived from the original on January 23, 2023. Retrieved October 9, 2021.