Fur seals to Baluarte Zoo also for swim programs – zoo official

The four South American fur seals from Uruguay for the Baluarte Zoo in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur will not just be zoo attractions.

 

"They are there for the zoo attraction tapos for swim programs," zoo manager Dean Abad said in a report on GMA-7's "24 Oras" on Friday. 

 

The zoo manager added that more wild animals are on their way to the Philippines for Baluarte.


 

 

In the coming days, visitors will be able to see not just the fur seals but also four giraffes, four zebras, three cheetas, two white lions, and two white tigers--for free. 

 

The trainers of the fur seals promised that the animals will be well taken care of. 

 

The fur seals were flown from Ninoy Aquino International Airport's cargo area to Baluarte Zoo via a private plane Singson owns. 

 

But People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) pointed out that the former Ilocos Sur governor did not have to put wild animals in cages. 

 

"Iyong mga permits naman, madaling kumuha niyan. Makakakuha at makakakuha tayo ng permit. Pero ang tanong doon, tama ba talaga iyon? Tama ba talaga na magdagdag pa siya ng mga hayop para lang ikulong?" said PETA spokesperson Jana Sevilla.  — Trisha Macas/ELR, GMA News