Netizen points out poor state of lions in Manila Zoo; Volunteer from Manila Zoo explains

• Netizens called out Manila Zoo for alleged poor upkeep of the lions.
• Manila Zoo volunteer clarified that the lions are well fed and taken care of properly.

Animal cruelty has been rampant all over the world, and one of the establishments that are placed on the hot seat when it comes to the topic are zoos.

Manila Zoo didn’t escape the issue as Facebook user Pau Galang shared a viral tweet by @dieyoungjade, calling out the poor state of the zoo lions.

Manila Zoo!!! Bakit naman parang galisin at ang papayat na ng lions 🙁 Bakit parang di na sya Mukhang King of the Jungle 🙁 

RT to save them, take them back where they belong. 🙁

Galang encouraged everyone to boycott Manila Zoo and answered back those saying that the lions are old, which is why they’re in that state.

Poor animals of Manila Zoo.😢

#BoycottManilaZoo
#BoycottWhileUnrehabilitated
#ManilaZooNeedsSeriousAttention
#SaveTheAnimals
#CTTO

Edited:
Yes, they are old na, pero search ka sa Google ng the oldest lion of diff regions/countries.

Or you may visit Manila Zoo and see for yourself. Hindi lang lions, madami pang iba.

They really need your help, our help.

With the post reaching more than 33,000 shares, it didn’t fail to come to the attention of Jan Arvin Delgado, a volunteer member of Zoo Crew Philippines which is the official volunteer group of Manila Zoo.

He created an album to explain the issue about the said “poor lions”. He also encouraged people to report the “misleading” post.

Hello, I’am Arvin a volunteer member of Zoo Crew Philippines the official Volunteer Group of Manila Zoo. I created this album to spread awareness or linawin ang kumalat na issue ngayon sa manila zoo and the real story sa kumakalat na picture ng “Lion daw na kawawa” which is hindi naman totoo.. Lahat ng description sa picture nato ay base sa personal o first hand experience at natutunan ko bilang volunteer sa nasabing institusyon. di ako professional animal behaviorist di rin veterenaryo pero etong ikwekwento ay base sa 8 months kong pag vovolunteer sa manila zoo. I encourage you na basahin isa isa yung mga caption ng photos..

Please report yung mga misleading post sila yung mga wala namang tinutulong nagkakalat lang ng maling impormasyon

Delgado first introduced Raffy, who is a 4- or 5-year-old Asian Lion (Panthera Leo).

Raffy is an asian Lion (Panthera Leo) estimated to be 4 or 5 years old. The Asian lion is a large predatory cat, very similar to the African lion in physical size and appearance, though they are somewhat smaller. Asian lions also differ in having a long fold of skin running along their underside, including their chests and stomachs. The male Asian lion has a mane, but it is not as full as the African lion’s mane.
Despite the tiny population (Endangered) and limited range of the Asian lion, there are actually some positive signs that conservation attempts are paying off with the help of zoological facilities and wildlife centers.

Pansinin niyo yung belly yan ba ang malnourished at payat??

He then shared information on how much food intake the lion gets everyday. He also said that they make Sunday a “fasting day” to encourage the lions to move and avoid obesity.

Kilala kami ni raffy lalo na sa mga naunang naging volunteer sakin, we do have our bonding time every time na inallow kaming mag assist magpakain sa mga lions and speaking of feeding time ang bawat isang lion sa manila zoo ay kumakain ng 5 kilong pinagsamang karne ng baka at manok 6 na beses sa isang linggo at meron silang araw ng fasting para maencourage silang gumalaw galaw at maiwasan ang pagigigng obese at para sa inyong kaalaman ang mga wild animals ay naghuhunt ng pagkain para makasurvive ibig sabihin kailangan nilang kumilos para makakain. in this case since nasa zoo naman si raffy at ang pagkain ay hinahain nlng kay raffy di niya na kailangan pang maghunt at mag pakapagod para makakain. Karamihan sa mga hayop kapag busog natutulog or mas pinipiling magpahinga kaya napagkakamalan ng tao na bored ang hayop sa zoo dahil naabutan nila etong tulog or nakatago sa mga feeding area pero di nila alam busog lang sila kaya di masyado kumikilos

kita naman sa katawan ni raffy dito na di siya payat

The volunteer also explained the issue of scabies all over the lion’s body. He clarified that those are not ‘galis’ but because lions’ fur are thinner than others, one can easily see their muscles. Also, the dark spots are only wet spots, not scabies.

Yuck may galis!!!

Nagkakamali ka diyan kapatid dahil manipis lang ang buhok ng lion sa katawan compare sa tigers mas makikita mo na agad ang muscle ng mga lion kaya pag nabasa sila muka talaga silang payat at may galis pero kapatid basa lang ng tubig yan 

He also showed photos of lionesses, which he explained have slimmer built than lions.

payat ka daw ??? di nila alam sexy ka na niyan sa katawan mong yan well ganun ang social media nagcoconclude agad sila sa picture lang ni hindi muna magresearch kung or alamin yung facts

In his last statement, he clarified that Manila Zoo gives the lions enough food as they have enough supply. He also encouraged everyone to volunteer and help with the maintenance of the place.