THE Cebu City Government plans to revive the stalled redevelopment of the old zoo in Barangay Kalunasan, transforming it into the Cebu City Wildlife Conservation and Protection Center — a sanctuary for rescued animals and an educational hub.
During a press conference on Feb. 19, 2025, Lawyer Gerry Carillo, chair of the Sugbo Bike Lanes Board (SBLB), said the facility will shelter animals rescued from the illegal wildlife trade and educate the public on conservation efforts.
The Cebu City Government has earmarked P300 million for the center’s construction and development.
Spanning seven hectares, the site will also feature a bike park, integrating eco-friendly initiatives into the city's sustainability efforts.
On Oct. 27, 2023, the City Government reintroduced the Cebu City Zoo as the Cebu City Eco-Park under then mayor Michael Rama.
However, the project was stalled due to budgetary constraints, Carillo said.
The City closed the zoo in 2016 and initially planned to convert it into a “community-mix habitat” for wildlife and plants with a five-million-peso budget.
But before construction could begin, the Rama administration recalled the funding, halting the project, Carillo said.
Partnerships
Under Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia’s administration, the City Government introduced a revised five-year development plan for the facility, he said.
The project will involve partnerships with the private sector, including Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino, Junior Chamber International, and other organizations.
The plan includes an administrative building, multi-story parking, a rooftop garden, commercial spaces, an amphitheater, a crocodile park, a solar-powered waterfall, a 4,000-square-meter bird sanctuary, an aviary, zoo facilities, and viewing decks for lion and tiger enclosures.
Private sector partnerships will accelerate the project by securing crucial resources and supplies needed for housing wildlife.
The City is collaborating with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to transfer animals to the sanctuary.
However, the DENR requires the completion of suitable habitats before relocation, making it essential to fast-track construction.
Carillo said the facility is expected to become a new tourist attraction, featuring not only a wildlife sanctuary but also a camping site.
Currently, the facility cannot accept wildlife due to the lack of proper habitats and trained personnel.
The City has allocated P52 million for habitat construction, which is part of the proposed Supplemental Budget now under review by the City Council.
Another P20 million has been set aside for acquiring wildlife from licensed breeders and transferring rescued animals.
Carillo also announced that the City will host the first-ever “Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia Eco Bike and Run Challenge” on March 15-16, 2025, within the zoo’s vicinity. / EHP