The Cebu City Zoo is being redeveloped into a preservation site.
(Photo by Ricky Esquivel on Pexels)
Before the Cebu Safari & Adventure Park, there was the Cebu City Zoo.
The seven hectare plot of land in the mountains of Kalunasan is notable for hosting many field trips and the occasional family visits, with nearly 300 different species of animals inside.
Whatever happened to it?
According to an article in Sunstar Cebu, former Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña closed the property in 2016, following a land swap deal with the provincial government. (2023)
The lot was part of a list of areas the Capitol acquired for its socialized housing project, forcing the Cebu City government to put the nearly 300 different animals in the zoo somewhere else.
In 2017, they were transported several miles away to the Amlan Nature Park in Negros Oriental, where most of them still reside.
Despite the approval of the land swap deal, the housing project has been delayed and the area above the mountain has been abandoned.
Now, Cebu City government officials have stepped in.
INITIAL PLANS FOR THE ECO-PARK
In 2023, former Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama officially revealed that the Cebu City Zoo had been converted into a mixed community habitat with dozens of flora and fauna.
This new establishment was to be called the Cebu City Eco-Park.
The aforementioned Sunstar Cebu article says that the initial plan was to build five massive enclosures, each 24 feet tall, with an area of 50 to 100 square meters. The eco-park would cover the entire seven hectares.
A crocodile pond, a bee farm, a butterfly sanctuary, and a water catchment had been planned for the park, but the original PHP 5 million budget could only cover five enclosures.
The city government decided to raise funds in order to continue the construction, until it was stalled further after Rama’s suspension in 2024.
Luckily, the new administration under Raymond Alvin Garcia has brought a significant update to this project.
WILDLIFE PRESERVATION CENTER
In 2025, the city government continued its development as an estimated PHP 300 million five-year plan was approved to improve the city zoo.
The eco-park was renamed the Cebu City Wildlife Conservation and Protection Center, serving as a habitat for rescued animals.
Most of the animals include those taken during the illegal wildlife trade, especially those rescued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
This includes giraffes, birds, lions, and tigers that the DENR has agreed to properly transfer to the sanctuary.
A Sunstar article stated that the structure will also include an administrative building, a multi-level parking space, an amphitheater, and a solar-powered waterfall. (2025)
The city government will work hand in hand with the private sector, especially those from the Cebu Chamber of Commerce to help raise more funds.
During the initial stage of the park’s development, the organizers created the “Adopt a Habitat” program, where private businesses can agree to take responsibility for a cage inside the park.
Gerardo Carillo, the Eco-Park Management vice chairperson, told The Freeman that he believes the private sector would happily help because of the location’s hidden potential as a tourist destination. (2025)
Several areas for jogging and hiking will be implemented, while proposed hanging bridges will allow for better accessibility within the park. Carillo also mentioned that a camping site will be opened within the vicinity.
Other than that, it will introduce Agricultural Training Programs for livelihood skills such as farming and production.
A mountain bike park will be added as well, letting trail bikers cycle through challenging terrain. This was already introduced during the “Bike and Run Challenge” held on March 15th and 16th.
As of writing, the Cebu City Eco-Park cannot accept wildlife because of the lack of amenities and trained personnel.
In the meantime, the city government continues to clear up the area. But what should they be focusing on to ensure a successful venue?
CONCERNS ABOUT CEBU CITY ZOO
- Better enclosures
Throughout its operating tenure, the Cebu City Zoo was criticized for the condition of the animals and their habitats.
A 2014 Freeman report mentioned that the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) recommended that the zoo improve their cages because of their lack of space. (2014)
Specifically, the crocodile enclosures were too small and needed more water. Snakes needed more spacious cages in order for them to stretch, while male and female monkeys must be separated.
The new Cebu City Zoo aims to have better enclosures, larger aviaries for its bird population, and larger ponds for its fish and crocodiles.
At the end of the day, the preservation center’s main goal is to make sure all animals can move around the preservation center freely.
- Better veterinary services
The Sunstar report added that PETA advised the city government to find more veterinarians both locally and internationally to take care of and offer better conditions for its animals. (2014)
At the time, the zoo was managed by the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries (DVMF). The organization has since shown a massive improvement, even earning a special accolade for it.
The DVMF was chosen for the “Best Animal Welfare Award” by the Biyaya Animal Care organization in 2025 because of its Catch-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return program.
The program takes stray animals, vaccinates them, and returns them to the streets in order to have them coexist safely among the residents of the city. This is one of the main reasons Cebu is considered one of the most pet-friendly cities in Asia.
*****
It may be half a decade before we see its completion, but the city government has taken the initiative to resume the new and improved version of the Cebu City Zoo.
Since 2022, representatives have cleared and maintained the area, while more plans have been laid out in recent months.
Not only can we look forward to educational tours, but also to better amenities for the wildlife. With that, going to the zoo will definitely be on the list of best things to do in Cebu!
REFERENCES:
Larisma, Arkeen. 2023. “City to recast Cebu Zoo as ‘Eco-Park’.” Sunstar Cebu.
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/city-to-recast-cebu-zoo-as-eco-park
Padronia, Earl Kim. 2025. “Cebu City to revive public zoo.” Sunstar Cebu.
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/cebu-city-to-revive-public-zoo
Mascardo, Iris Hazel. 2025. “Cebu City eyes development, renaming of eco park.” The Freeman.
https://www.philstar.com/the-freeman/cebu-news/2025/02/20/2422815/cebu-city-eyes-developmeny-renaming-eco-park
Quintas, Kristine B. 2014. “After Cebu City Zoo visit, PETA says animals ‘lack space’.” The Freeman.
https://www.philstar.com/the-freeman/cebu-news/2014/05/19/1324815/after-cebu-city-zoo-visit-peta-says-animals-lack-space
Chua, Vince Harlan. 2014. “Peta asks City: Work on zoo.” Sunstar Cebu.
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/more-articles/peta-asks-city-work-on-zoo
