There’s a zoo/safari inside a mall!
SM City Bacolod recently opened its Zoofari, which is open from January 29, 2016 (Thursday) to January 31, 2016 (Sunday) at 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm. For an entrance donation of Php 50.00 (almost USD 1.00) per person, guests get to contribute to SM Foundation’s environmental projects. Interestingly, this is the 6th year that the Zoofari has been held in this mall. SM City is located at the reclamation area of Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines.
The four-day Zoofari is made possible in conjunction with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and El Toro Zoo de La Castellana. Trained zookeepers are at hand to make sure that guests do not disturb the animals and not in harm’s way.
Upon entering the facility, which is the old SM Appliance Center across the SM Supermarket, visitors will get to view the artificial pond where the turtles are kept. It’s like a mini-oasis that features the iguana and the snakes suspended from the ceiling.
The miniature horses and the donkey can also be found near the entrance area.
Different kinds of birds lined up one part of the wall. Other fowl species and tiny pigs are found at the center area.
Large pythons and various types of serpents and reptiles occupied a certain section.
Interestingly, I saw a tokay gecko the day before in our house and I remembered the incident while viewing the reptiles.
Arachnids in small transparent cases are displayed at the end of the room.
The other side of the room had the crocodile, the bearcat, the leopard cat, the Asian civet cat, and the black apes.
The rest of the animals in the fowl family, such as the peafowl, the golden pheasant, and the egret, are found at the opposite end of the room, going towards the exit.
All in all, the children had fun, though some were terrified by the animals. It was an educational experience for the children, and also for us adults.
Wow that’s awesome. My 2 little brothers would love that. We used to live in Bacolod. It’s great to see the city starting to grow and prosper. Looks like a great family bonding experience if you visit this place. Thanks for sharing. Keep it up!
It’s a great educational experience, too!
Oh how I would love to visit here. What an experience and the kids would love to see those animals all up close and personal.
They really enjoyed touching the miniature horse and the piglets. 🙂
What a nice place to bring the kids! I bet they had an amazing time. Can’t believe this took place in a mall.
It’s really convenient to bring the kids there. And it’s indoors so it’s not too hot.
That peacock and pigeon. So beautiful. I wanna see them too. I wonder if Sm Cebu will have a zoofari too.
They really are beautiful. 🙂
What a fun place to spend the day! I love that they have so many different animals and creatures to check out. Kids would never be bored there. 🙂
The animal species were quite limited given the small space that can fit the animals.
It’s nice to see a mini zoo in the middle of the mall. People can learn a lot from the different animals here.
It was accessible for those who cannot go to the zoos.
Very nice to look at. But sometimes it is sad for the animals to be in captivity.
That’s true though. But DENR was there and most of the animals were bred and are not used to the wildlife.
Nice move that helps educate more people who frequently visit malls rater than parks and wildlife.
It’s like an adage, which I changed a bit – If you cannot bring the public to the zoo, then bring the zoo to the public.
A zoo inside a mall? What a wonderful concept they have…hope we have that here in Davao City. Cool and fun idea.
Maybe SM Davao should also do something like that.
Was the whole zoofari indoor? Isn’t that a little stressful to the animals? Anyway, the 50 pesos ticket entrance is actually sulit considering the animals there.
It was indoors but air-conditioned. Well, it was stressful for them because they were transported to the mall.
Wow I love the idea and concept of Zoofari, its actually brings people get closer to animal and like them. A good move by SM.
The piglets are so adorable!! It’s great that kids in Bacolod have a cool place to visit now! 😀
This will run only for four days though.
i really dont like zoos or anything like it because they cage animals. </3 but those animals in the photos looked awesome! esp the indian peacock.
That’s one consideration though, putting them in a cage.
Is that a pinata? lol
It looks like one, right? Hahaha!
Such a cute place!! I wish I was in the Phillipines to visit this…
It will only last until this Sunday though.
The Victorian crowned pigeon is my favorite too!! All the birds look awesome and I’d want that Leopard cat as a pet!!
The leopard cat is small and can be carried everywhere. It’s so cute!
the tarantula scared me so much whilst i was looking at the photos. the miniature horse is so cute
The arachnids, reptiles and snakes were creepy.