Avilon Zoo

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Avilon is one of the newest Zoos in the Philippines and is located in the province of Rodriguez, Rizal.

Around hour's drive from Quezon City, Avilon Zoological Park is an eight-hectare nature reserve, landscaped with generous enclosures for each creature. Avilon, so named for “Aves” or Birds and “Lon” for Land, encompasses a wide range of animals, however it is the presentation and ambience of the zoo which sets it apart from other urban zoos in the Manila area.

[edit] Natural Wonderland

This zoo is near the La Mesa Ecopark. The site has 117 steps up and 117 steps down.

Two Lions share a 3,000-square meter area filled with appropriate foliage, while a rock garden provides shade and privacy for the animals. A lily-covered moat separates the curving steel bar safety fence and the lions’ den within.

A flock of Victoria Crown Pigeons, the world’s largest pigeons at 29 inches tall, flies within a 17-meter-high coop. Birdcages for the Mindanao Hornbills and the Arboreal Tree Kangaroos are also expansive.

For nocturnal creatures of the forest, such as Palawan Armadillo, there is a section of the zoo where flash cameras are prohibited, and lighting and humidity conditions are carefully controlled. Orangutans swing through strategically placed logs and ropes.

Malaysian Tapirs, Argentinean Capybaras, Canadian Bobcats, Burmese Rock Pythons, Tarantulas, Tortoises and Tigers share the sprawling facilities with species endemic to the Philippines such as Palawan Porcupines, Luzon Cloud Rats and Mindanao Hornbills. Of the more than 500 species in Avilon, half are indigenious to the Philippines.

Avilon's tour guides are bachelor degree-holders, and are constantly required take examinations to test their knowledge of the park and its inhabitants, as well as provide interesting anecdotes and facts about the animals. Shaded pavilions beside Swan and Flamingo ponds provide food, drinks and souvenirs.

Commitment to maintenance and sanitation in the zoo premises ensure a pest-free environment. Winding flagstone walkways make for an unfolding experience.

Beyond teaching and promoting wildlife appreciation, Avilon successfully conserves and breeds endangered endemic animals. Examples include Mouse Deer, Civet Cats, Palawan Badgers and Scoop Owls, to name a few.

Discovery Channel will soon feature Avilon's successful breeding of Gray’s Monitor Lizards, the first in the world.

How to get there, basics: Avilon Zoo is not an easy place to find first time, for foreigners especially. The simplest way is to take a taxi directly from either Marikina City or Quezon City. But starting your trip from the University of Philippines Diliman is a pleasant way to go. The campus is very large and peaceful with a surviving patch of local forest, the Arboreum. 'UP', as it is known, is almost on the direct route to the zoo. There are always taxis circling around the campus.

If you are driving, you can go along Commonwealth Road past Philcoa, UP and the Mall, turn right at the marked sign for Batasan Road (as directed below). Right again into the Batasan Road, down the hill all the way to where it ends in a t-junction. You turn left into San Mateo Rizal Road and follow it all the way through Montalban. Then ask someone for the last directions when you get to Montalban Market. The zoo is on a side road to the left and the route is poorly signposted. This is the simplest road route for non-locals.

Some info on getting there for locals: From QC Circle, turn to Commonwealth Road. Approximately 8.2km is the Commonwealth Litex road, on the right after the Talipapa (market). You will see yellow signage pointing to Recuerdo. (It is before the Overpass.) Turn right and you will see a Julie's Bakeshop.

Turn left and this will be a downward road wherein you will pass the Payatas dumpsite after about 1.km of driving. Another 0.7km and you will see a Yellow Building on the right called Belmonte Hall. After another 7km of driving, you will get to the bridge towards Montalban, 0.7km further is the Montalban Public Market on the right. Another 800 meters ahead is the Mercury Drug at which you should turn left.

Proceed 1.4km until you see the Total Gas Station on the right, get ready to turn left as the Eastwood Subdivision is just about 200m ahead. Enter the village and you will see a Rotunda, turn to the left and then right. (Turning left here would mean going down a road with a stream crossing it so you will know if you are wrong). You will see the Twiglet Mini Mart on the right and a dirt road on the left. Turn Left on the dirt road. Approximately 900m ahead is the Avilon Zoo.

Note: Entrance is about P208 and a tour guide costs P350. The tour takes around 2 hours and you can take a food break half way. Picnic baskets may also be taken. It is appropriate in this instance to give price and food information as many locals will need to know the cost before they go.