PAWS wants Manila Zoo shut down, animals moved to sanctuaries

The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) said the Manila Zoo should be shut down if it cannot take care of its animals, according to a report on News To Go on Wednesday.

PAWS issued the statement after a video of a male lion seemingly having a seizure went viral online. The video also showed a couple of female lions that appeared to be malnourished.

According to PAWS, the animals are better off being transferred to sanctuaries or institutions that are capable of caring for them.

However, the management of Manila Zoo said that the African lion, named Rapee, is in good health.

It is possible that the lion just got stressed due to the strong winds brought by Typhoon Ompong, they added.

Manila Zoo also denied that the lions in their care are malnourished.

It said that the lions are well-fed and that they are still young.

Earlier, the management said that they seemed underweight due to the angle of the camera.

Rapee is currently under observation, the report said. —Jessica Bartolome/KG, GMA News