Philippines
Horse fights
Although horse fighting is officially illegal in the Philippines, corruption and lack of control allow these cruel tournaments to continue. Fights are broadcast on television, local businesses sponsor different horses and local authorities even offer cash prizes. The tournaments are promoted as a “cultural tradition”, but in fact they are organized and controlled by organized criminals which earn a lot of money from the bets. The Animal Welfare Law in Philippines prohibited all types of horse fights in 1998. However, with fines ranging from a minimum of 1000 pesos (about 10€) and a maximum of 5000 pesos (approx. 50€), the organizers of these tournaments do not worry about the law too much. It is very important that tourists do not attend these events. More information.
Manila Zoo
According to reports by PETA, the animals in Manila Zoo live in terrible conditions and are kept in cages without any type of environmental enrichment.
Many animals show stereotypical and neurotic behavior, for example walking in circles or constantly swinging their heads. Due to the lack of funding for the park, the infrastructure has deteriorated and animal conditions have been getting worse and worse. Animal defense organizations have long been asking that Mali, the only elephant in the zoo, be urgently moved to a sanctuary. More information.
Crocodile farms
There are several crocodile farms in the Philippines, where numerous animals are usually kept under bad conditions and later slaughtered for the use of their skins. The water in these cement pits is usually dirty and stagnant, and due to overpopulation and lack of environmental enrichment the animals often become aggressive and attack each other. Therefore, it is common to see wounds, bites, amputated tails and limbs and broken jaws in these animals. In many of these centers the animals are also used for shows, where they are handled, provoked, harassed and even beaten with sticks, sat on, tied up and having their jaws or tails pulled. Among others, we note the “Palawan Crocodile Farm and Conservation Centre”. More information.
Cockfights
Like in many other parts of Asia, cockfights continue taking place in the Philippines: it is known to be a very bloody competition where people watch fighting cocks, specially chosen and raised, often fighting each other with small knives put on top of their nails. Although usually the locals are the ones betting on these competitions, we strongly advise tourists against attending these events, both to avoid promoting this business and because of the excessive cruelty of it.
Dolphinaria
There are two dolphinaria in the Philippines: the Misamis Occidental Aquamarine Park and the Ocean Adventure. In both centers cetaceans have to participate in unnatural and denigrating performances and interact with the public. Although in the Misamis Occidental Aquamarine Park the dolphins are kept inside an enclosure in the sea, it is important for tourists not to be fooled, since we are still talking about a very small area where these animals are exhibited doing activities which are not natural for their species.
For more information read here and here.
Swimming with whale sharks
In the municipality of Oslob, some operators offer tourists the chance to swim in the sea with whale sharks, which are attracted to the seashore with food. We remind that feeding wild animals can have serious problems for both animals and the ecosystem, and we invite tourists to read this and this before deciding to participate in this activity.
Kopi Luwak/Civet Coffee
The kopi luwak, or civet coffee, is a type of coffee made from coffee beans which were ingested by an animal called civet, passed through its intestinal tract and eliminated with its feces, still covered by the inner layers of the fruit so the internal coffee bean is not digested. Born in captivity or simply hunted in the wild, civets live in cages for the rest of their lives to produce this expensive coffee which is made in different places in Indonesia, Philippines and Vietnam.
For more information clcik here.
Here is a list of local NGOs that can be contacted in case you want to make a donation, report or find an animal that needs help in the Philippines:
PAWS, The Philippine Animal Welfare Soicety
If you want to report a crime against wildlife you can contact: Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau, Wildlife Center +63-2-925-8952 or Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) hotline +65 6325 7625 or 1800 226 2250
