Ninoy Aquino Parks & Wildlife Center
The Ninoy Aquino Parks & Wildlife Center is a zoological and botanical garden located in Quezon City, Philippines. It serves as a vital wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center, providing temporary shelter for confiscated, abandoned, or injured wild animals, and also functions as a public park showcasing indigenous flora and fauna.
Key Facts
- ›Covers an area of 23.85 hectares (58.9 acres).
- ›Established on July 25, 1970, as part of the Quezon Memorial Park.
- ›Features a lagoon, an aquarium, a botanical garden, and a Wildlife Rescue Center.
- ›Houses indigenous plants and animals, including crab-eating macaques, Philippine deer, and various bird species.
- ›In 2018, its Wildlife Rescue and Research Center housed approximately 1,400 individual mammals, birds, and reptiles.
Lagoon, Aquarium, Botanical Garden, Wildlife Rescue Center, Museum of Philippine Biodiversity
Crab-Eating Macaques, Water Monitors, Philippine Deer, Binturongs, Palawan Bearded Pigs
- Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation
- Showcasing endemic animals to promote biodiversity awareness
- Discouraging Illegal Wildlife Trade
About Ninoy Aquino Parks & Wildlife Center
The Ninoy Aquino Parks & Wildlife Center is a significant zoological and botanical garden situated in Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines. Spanning 23.85 hectares (58.9 acres), the center was established on July 25, 1970, and is named in honor of Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr.
History and Development
The origins of the Ninoy Aquino Parks & Wildlife Center can be traced back to 1954 with the establishment of the Quezon Memorial Park. Portions of this park were later reallocated, and the Ninoy Aquino Parks & Wildlife Center was officially opened in 1970. Initially, it hosted a mini zoo that also served as a repository for rescued wild animals. The park underwent renovations in the early 1980s and was temporarily renamed Lungsod ng Kabataan Recreational Park before adopting its current name in 1986 to commemorate Ninoy Aquino.
Administratively, the center has been under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. It has experienced changes in its protected area status, including a period as the DENR–Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center, before being re-established and proclaimed as a protected area. In 2011, its zoo facilities were converted into the National Wildlife Rescue and Research Center, which remains open to the public. In 2018, it was formally declared a national park under the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act.
Facilities and Attractions
The center boasts a variety of attractions designed for both recreation and education. A man-made lagoon is a central feature, hosting various fish species. Adjacent to the lagoon are facilities such as the Fishing Village and an open-air amphitheater. The Museum of Philippine Biodiversity, launched in 2017, offers an interactive experience showcasing the country's terrestrial and marine ecosystems. Public art installations, like "Ugnayan" by Luis Yee Jr., are also present within the grounds.
Wildlife and Conservation Role
A key component of the Ninoy Aquino Parks & Wildlife Center is the National Wildlife Rescue and Research Center (NWRRC). This facility functions as a quarantine and rehabilitation center for wild animals rescued from residential areas, confiscated from illegal traders, or surrendered by owners. The NWRRC aims to rehabilitate these animals and, where possible, return them to the wild. It also serves to educate the public by showcasing animals that have been victims of cruelty or are endangered, thereby discouraging illegal wildlife trade and irresponsible pet ownership. As of 2018, the center was reportedly housing around 1,400 individual mammals, birds, and reptiles, many of which were unable to be returned to the wild due to prolonged domestication or ongoing legal cases.
Flora
The botanical aspect of the center is significant, with a reported presence of around 4,000 species of trees in 2009, including 100 endemic to the Philippines. Notable tree species found within the park include ipil, kamagong, narra, and molave. By 2012, the Philippine Native Plants Conservation Society estimated the presence of approximately 4,500 mature trees within the Ninoy Aquino Parks & Wildlife Center.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ninoy Aquino Parks & Wildlife Center?
The Ninoy Aquino Parks & Wildlife Center is a zoological and botanical garden located in Quezon City, Philippines. It serves as a public park and a crucial facility for rescuing and rehabilitating wild animals.
When was the Ninoy Aquino Parks & Wildlife Center established?
The park was opened on July 25, 1970, after being inaugurated by President Ferdinand Marcos. Its history traces back to the establishment of the Quezon Memorial Park in 1954.
What are the main attractions at the Ninoy Aquino Parks & Wildlife Center?
Attractions include a man-made lagoon with various fish species, a Biodiversity Museum, an amphitheater, and the National Wildlife Rescue and Research Center. It also features botanical gardens with indigenous plants.
What is the role of the Wildlife Rescue Center?
The Wildlife Rescue Center is a temporary shelter for confiscated, retrieved, donated, sick, abandoned, and injured wild animals. It also showcases animals rescued from illegal trade and cruelty to raise public awareness.
What kind of plants and animals can be found there?
The center houses indigenous plants and animals such as crab-eating macaques, water monitors, Philippine deer, binturongs, and various species of birds. It was reported in 2009 to host around 4,000 species of trees.
Has the park's name changed over time?
Yes, the park has had several names. It was originally part of the Quezon Memorial Park, later became the Lungsod ng Kabataan Recreational Park, then the DENR–Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center, before being reverted to its current name, Ninoy Aquino Parks & Wildlife Center.
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