Baluarte Zoo
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{{short description|Zoological park in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Philippines}}
{{Infobox zoo
|zoo_name = Baluarte Zoo
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|image = Baluarte park in Vigan City.JPG
|image_width = 250px
|image_caption = Baluarte Zoo
|date_opened =
|location = Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Philippines
| coordinates = {{coord|17.55187|N|120.37617|E|format=dms|dim:30_region:PH_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
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|exhibits = Safari Gallery
|owner = Baluarte Zoo Foundation{{cite web |title=Baluarte Zoo Foundation Inc. |url=https://lcsgroup.com.ph/baluarte_en |publisher=LCS Group of Companies |access-date=13 November 2022}}
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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".
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.{{cite news|last1=Gonzales|first1=Joseph|title=A day of fun with animals in Vigan’s Baluarte|url=http://thestandard.com.ph/lifestyle/destinations/213663/a-day-of-fun-with-animals-in-vigan-s-baluarte.html|accessdate=1 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170315013955/http://thestandard.com.ph/lifestyle/destinations/213663/a-day-of-fun-with-animals-in-vigan-s-baluarte.html|archive-date=15 March 2017|work=The Standard|date=18 August 2016}} Described as an interactive wildlife sanctuary, the facility was designed and developed by Singson himself.{{cite news|title=The success of Luis ‘Chavit’ Singson|url=http://www.thestandard.com.ph/lifestyle/sunday-living/213199/the-success-of-luis-chavit-singson.html|accessdate=1 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170201142353/http://www.thestandard.com.ph/lifestyle/sunday-living/213199/the-success-of-luis-chavit-singson.html|archive-date=1 February 2017|work=The Manila Standard|date=13 August 2016}}
Operations were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the zoo has since reopened.{{cite news |title=Ilocos Sur reopens to tourists |url=https://mb.com.ph/2020/11/21/ilocos-sur-reopens-to-tourists/ |access-date=13 November 2022 |work=Manila Bulletin |date=21 November 2020}}
In 2024, a zoo employee was dismissed for hitting a lion to make it pose for photographs.{{cite news |title=Alleged mistreatment of lion at zoo in Vigan, Ilocos Sur condemned |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/917613/alleged-mistreatment-of-lion-at-zoo-in-vigan-ilocos-sur-condemned/story/ |access-date=20 August 2024 |work=GMA News |date=20 August 2024}}{{cite news |last1=Garcia |first1=Nick |title=Baluarte Zoo terminates employee who was caught physically abusing its lion to pose for photos |url=https://philstarlife.com/news-and-views/793280-baluarte-zoo-terminates-employee-caught-physically-abusing-lion?page=2 |access-date=20 August 2024 |work=Philstar Life |date=19 August 2024}}
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.{{cite news |last1=Espinosa-Aritao |first1=Giancarla |title=Chavit Singson: Keeper of the sanctuary |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/culture/spotlight/11/16/18/chavit-singson |access-date=13 November 2022 |work=ABS-CBN News |date=16 November 2018}}
=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.
Gallery
References
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External links
- [http://www.mb.com.ph/distinctively-ilocos/ Distinctively Ilocos: Baluarte Zoo]
- [https://wayph.com/baluarte-ni-chavit-singson-in-vigan/ In Pictures: Baluarte]
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Category:Buildings and structures in Vigan
Category:Zoos in the Philippines
Category:Tourist attractions in Ilocos Sur
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