Moscow and Manila zoos sign cooperation agreement

The Moscow Zoo and the Philippines’ largest zoo located in the country’s capital, Manila, have signed a cooperation agreement, as announced by Deputy Moscow Mayor Natalya Sergunina.

“The agreement provides for the exchange of experience and scientific information, plus joint projects for the conservation of rare and endangered species,” she said.

It also involves sharing animals to participate in international wildlife conservation programs. As part of the agreement, Manila is hosting a photo display to mark the 160 th anniversary of the Moscow Zoo, whose delegation took part in the opening of the Pushkin and Moscow exhibition at the University of Manila, the country’s most prestigious educational institution.

The Moscow Zoo opened in 1864, being one of the oldest zoos in Europe. Initially, it kept 294 animals whereas today it is home to more than 1,200 species of mammals, birds, reptiles and fish.

Over the past nine years, its birth rate has almost doubled as over 11,000 animals have been born there since 2014; the birth of a panda, who was named Katyusha, was a special highlight of 2023.

Almost all zoo visitors come to see panda KatyushaKatyusha is her mama’s girl: life of a giant panda cub in the Moscow Zoo

Founded in 1959, the Manila Zoo is one of the oldest in Asia. Spanning 5.5 ha, it keeps more than 600 animals, including rare and exotic species, such as Philippine crocodiles, Palawan peacock pheasants, and Philippine deer; those and many other bird and animal species are found nowhere else except the Philippines.