Baluarte Zoo Explained

Zoo Name:Baluarte Zoo
Location:Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Philippines
Coordinates:17.5519°N 120.3762°W
Exhibits:Safari Gallery
Owner:Baluarte Zoo Foundation[1]

Baluarte Zoo is a zoological park in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Philippines. It was established by politician and businessman, Chavit Singson.

History

The 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

Animals in captivity

The 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

The 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]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Baluarte Zoo Foundation Inc. . LCS Group of Companies . 13 November 2022.
  2. News: Gonzales. Joseph. A day of fun with animals in Vigan’s Baluarte. 1 May 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170315013955/http://thestandard.com.ph/lifestyle/destinations/213663/a-day-of-fun-with-animals-in-vigan-s-baluarte.html. 15 March 2017. The Standard. 18 August 2016.
  3. News: The success of Luis ‘Chavit’ Singson. 1 May 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170201142353/http://www.thestandard.com.ph/lifestyle/sunday-living/213199/the-success-of-luis-chavit-singson.html. 1 February 2017. The Manila Standard. 13 August 2016.
  4. News: Ilocos Sur reopens to tourists . 13 November 2022 . Manila Bulletin . 21 November 2020.
  5. News: Alleged mistreatment of lion at zoo in Vigan, Ilocos Sur condemned . 20 August 2024 . GMA News . 20 August 2024.
  6. News: Garcia . Nick . Baluarte Zoo terminates employee who was caught physically abusing its lion to pose for photos . 20 August 2024 . Philstar Life . 19 August 2024.
  7. News: Espinosa-Aritao . Giancarla . Chavit Singson: Keeper of the sanctuary . 13 November 2022 . ABS-CBN News . 16 November 2018.