Baluarte Zoo to take swift action after lion is seen being kicked to pose for photos
A zoo in Ilocos Sur is in hot water after a viral video showed one of their male lions experiencing physical abuse from its caretakers for photo opportunities.
The incident received much attention after the Animal Kingdom Foundation (AKF), a local organization dedicated to protecting animals, disclosed that they have been receiving various rescue requests for a white lion in Baluarte Zoo who appears to be mishandled as shown in a video circulating online.
"In the recent viral video, King looked very tired, sleepy, and uncomfortable. In other videos, there are some practices of the caretakers that we find inappropriate—such as tail pulling, pushing and kicking his leg so he would look good in photos," AKF stated.
"Others say King was drugged considering his docile, groggy look, and unnatural behavior… definitely not the King of the Jungle!" they added.
The organization lamented that while they cannot directly rescue him from the situation, they are now appealing to the public to avoid taking selfies and photo opportunities with wildlife animals so the zoo can ensure the lion's safety.
"We can only appeal to Baluarte’s operators and owner, former gov. Chavit Singson, whose love and fascination for animals greatly influenced the establishment of this facility, to please ensure that the welfare of the animals is a priority," the AKF said.
Baluarte Zoo has since gotten wind of the incident and issued a lengthy statement assuring the public that they are now "thoroughly investigating" the matter.
"We are deeply saddened to learn about the video circulating on social media showing King, our male lion, being kicked to get up and take a position for photos. This is not representative of our values or the standard of care we uphold at our zoo, and we want to address this issue directly and transparently," the zoo began.
They acknowledged that the behavior shown in the video is "completely unacceptable" as they have a "zero-tolerance policy for any mistreatment of animals."
They assured the public that they are now taking swift action to ensure that those responsible are held accountable, and that they have implemented additional training and stricter supervision to the staff to prevent any recurrence.
Baluarte Zoo explained that male lions spend much of their day resting, which is why "forcing King to move in a manner that is uncomfortable or distressing is not only against our ethical standards but also counter to the understanding of his natural behavior."
"Let’s be clear—no one wants to work with a distressed animal, and we certainly do not condone such actions. Our staff is dedicated to the well-being of all our animals, and we are committed to ensuring that their interactions with the public are conducted in a safe, respectful, and humane manner," the zoo stressed.
"While we can explain the natural behaviors of male lions, we recognize that this incident raises serious questions about our practices. Our zoo's core mission is centered on animal conservation and education, and we deeply regret that this incident has overshadowed that commitment." they continued.
Baluarte Zoo expressed their gratitude to the public for calling their attention to the matter.
"This situation gives us the opportunity to re-examine our methods and improve, making our zoo a better place for the animals in our care and for the visitors who come to learn about them," they said.
While they promised to evaluate these activities, they noted that "proceeds from such activities are crucial for the zoo’s operations, including the care of the animals, educational programs, and various environmental conservation efforts."
"We sincerely apologize for this incident and the distress it has caused. Please know that we are committed to making the necessary changes to ensure that our zoo remains a place where animals are treated with the utmost care and respect," they ended.
While Singson did not directly make any comments on the issue, he later reshared Baluarte Zoo's statement in his Facebook page.
Calls for rescue
After the video went viral online, social media users aired their frustration over the incident, including actress Nadine Lustre.
Through her Instagram stories, the actress gave her two cents on the issue and shared how it breaks her heart to see animals getting mistreated like this.
"You probably don’t know this but most of the time, big animals in zoos are drugged or physically threatened so they stay calm enough so people can take photos with them. It’s heartbreaking because it strips them of their natural behavior and well-being," she lamented.
"Zoos often confine these majestic creatures to small enclosures, causing stress and depression. While marketed as conservation, zoos frequently prioritize profit over animal welfare, exploiting them for entertainment rather than allowing them to live freely in the wild, where they truly belong," she added.
Another user claimed to have personally seen King in his enclosure and shared details on his poor condition.
"Visited that place last December kasi kasama siya sa itinerary namin. When I saw King's condition, nakaramdam kami ng awa sa kanya. Kasi kita mo sa kanya yung stress at pagkapagod," the user recalled.
"Noong time pa no'n ang init-init, siguro mga nasa 33 degree celcius yung init tapos nagpa-panting siya kahit nasa lilom, alam mong init na init siya. Tapos pinipilit pa siyang gumising just to entertain the zoo goers," they added.
Another user said, "Hoping international lion conservation groups will see this! I'm so sick of zoos using animals for profit but refuse to give them the care they deserve!"
The Philippine Animal Welfare Act states that it is unlawful for any person to torture any animal and subject them to cruelty, maltreatment, or neglect. Any person who subjects any animal to cruelty, maltreatment, or neglect shall be punished by imprisonment and/or a fine.