The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness.—John Muir
Earlier this morning, I was scrolling through Instagram as part of my little routine—not to become addicted to phones but to keep my sanity stable. I’ve learned to love the algorithm of Instagram because I only see one thing every day: animals—whether wild or pets, featured in videos that are dramatic and for humanity. Sometimes, I even cry early in the morning whenever I see animals honored in death, which I cannot bear to understand why they have to go through.
This morning, I saw another “What he thought I saw vs. What I saw” trend, where the user tells a short occasion, like going to the airport for jobs far away from home or a grandfather’s first time carrying his grandson, and then the video flashes back to when they were younger and innocent—giving a peek of who they were before the present happened. I saw another version of that about a pig suffering from old age, and the video flashed back to the years when he was young and running free in his playground.
It made me emotional and reminded me of the time I saw other animals on my trip to Cebu Safari and Adventure Park. I vividly remembered how amazed I was by them—not by the place, but by them.
First of all, before I share my experiences, I would like to say I do not support animal park businesses, specifically wild animals encaged and deprived of living in their natural habitats. I just came across this place as part of my friend’s birthday celebration. Although I didn’t want to enter this park, I don’t regret it, for I learned something new about them and developed more pity to not visit an animal park again.
Cebu Safari and Adventure Park is situated in the iconic Carmen of Northern Cebu and is the largest zoological park in the whole country. For the record, it is a 170-hectare park, containing 111 local and foreign animals and various plant species that can be found in specific attractions or spots like the White Lion Safari and Botanical Gardens. I remember when we visited the park, I saw a part of it containing bird shows, while some offered adventurous rides. Honestly, this park is far from the highway so you need to get your feet sore before reaching it—better to have wheels. Quick information: it is open from 8:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., and if you are an adult, prepare ₱1,100.00 and half that amount for children.
The fauna of the park features 46 bird species, 36 mammals, and 9 types of lovely reptiles as far as I knew. It also has an African Savanna. The flora is in the Gardens of the World and shows many species of flowers you may not even recognize. Aside from bird shows, ATV rides, zip line, and sky bike are major highlights of Cebu Safari when it comes to adventure. What’s more lovely is their animal feeding—but be careful! Zookeepers are patiently feeding them, so don’t startle their communication.
Above all animals, these three were my favorites when I visited the park. I love all of them with all my heart, but there are just a few that resonated with me deeply.
**Giraffe**
*Scientific Name: Giraffa camelopardalis*
The thing I love about giraffes is their title as the tallest land animal and how they are structured physically—it amazes me. Their long necks allow them to eat from higher levels, and that alone is mind-blowing. Do you agree? LOL. Despite their long necks, they also have 7 bones like us. The main difference is that their bones are longer and bigger than what we know. I love their coat patterns, and I associate them with our fingerprints.
In the photos, three of them are feasting on a single branch with plenty of leaves. They patiently ate without competition toward one another. I bet they are kind ones, and also funny ones since I’ve seen many videos of giraffes teasing park visitors. But even if the ones I saw were peaceful, giraffes also strive for superiority just like any other animals. They fight with their long necks like sledgehammers, and what’s more majestic is that after intense fights, they would stand side by side like true boxers hugging on the stage. Mind-blowing, isn’t it?
**Flamingos**
*Scientific Name: Phoenicopterus roseus*
I really thought flamingos were born with pink feathers and skin, but that is just an illusion. When I visited Cebu Safari, I saw white flamingos and was confused at first. There were staff roaming around, and I wanted to ask them how they turned such color. But I was shy that time. However, a divine intervention happened that day. I overheard another group of people talking about my inner question. I later found out that it is because of carotenoids in their diet, specifically shrimps, that make their color turn pink. They are naturally born pale and white—and I lived my whole life believing a lie.
I started liking them because of the cartoon movie version of Romeo and Juliet where the characters were toys and there were iconic flamingos in that movie (I can’t remember vividly but I know there were). As my love toward animals grew, I started doing little research about them, and before I knew how they turned pink, I learned how they nurture their young ones. Flamingo parents are one of the few bird families that produce milk, specifically crop milk, produced in their upper esophagus. This crop milk contains proteins, fats, and immune system cells important for the chicks’ growth.
**Lion**
The last one but my most favorite animal I saw that day. Whenever I see a lion, whether personally or on social media, I always remember the movie The Lion King that touched millions of hearts when it was released. Lions are indeed called kings of the jungle, but they don’t actually live in jungles—they live in savannas or even in grasslands. Until now, I keep wondering how they got such a title.
The lion in the photo looks majestic and awesome, with its fur bordering a face of intimidation and a body shaped by decades of survival. People may see them as bad animals, but for me, they are just little cats in the wild striving for territory in order to survive. I also learned their roar travels 8 kilometers away, so imagine how much sound waves are needed to cover that length. I was in awe when I saw the lion in the photo because it was my first time meeting a real one. My heart beat intensely when I saw the king of the jungle—a bit scared, but I knew I was influenced by my ancestors’ automatic response to danger.
I also saw other animal species in the park such as the serpent eagle, Philippine eagle, crocodiles, antelopes, various snakes, and even beautiful peacocks. We also entered the botanical garden, but my mind is stuck on the animals I saw. It was my first time, and that first time was different—because they were animals. Ever since, I’ve loved animals and wanted to see all of them, sea and land, water and air, and discover the message and wonderful behaviors they carry in their nature.
Cebu Safari did a good job of letting us feel the African wildlife by bringing it to the Philippines. But I would actually be more happy to see them in the wild, with protection from any risks, rather than meeting them in a park they don’t even belong to. Such lovely creatures would thrive more in their natural habitats. It is sad to think how much of their behaviors are not exercised just because they are not in the right place. Even if others say they are well fostered, I would argue they are still not in the right place. It is sad to know they could be limited in movement, such as playing, which is essential to their species. Cebu Safari is large—but not larger than the place they belong primarily.
I met those animals in a spontaneous way, and I don’t regret it because it made me decide not to go again to an animal park. I’m sorry, but that’s how I took the experience. There is no better way to see life than by spending time with animals. From giraffes who, even after fighting, restore kindness; to flamingos’ selfless act of keeping their chicks healthy; to lions’ pride and bravery that teach us how and when to brave a storm.
I hope you were able to craft some understanding of the animals I featured and learned what there is to life. Animals are indeed the doorway to the meaning of life—and we just have to look at it closer than we must.