Chapter I

Introduction
Background of the study
The Philippines with its tropical climate and archipelagic nature supports a rich and varied flora
and fauna. Its wildlife includes significant number of endemic plant and animal species.
(Carpenter and Springer, 2005). There are 612 species of birds in the Philippines, of which 500
are endemic. (Species-Edge of Existence).

Philippines is among the world’s seventeen “megadiversity” countries with 60-70 total of global
biodiversity, The World Conservation Union identified Philippines as one of the most
endangered of the world’s biodiversity “hotspots” meaning threatened areas with very high
levels of biodiversity. According to Salvador the Philippines is facing an extinction on eagles
because of massive deforestation meaning the loss of the forest that had made it lose its natural
habitat. Same with the other species they become extinct because of massive deforestation.
(H.D.Tacio “Philippine eagle facing extinction” 2009)

A survey studies have determined that climate change has a particularly dire effect on mammals
and birds about half of mammals and most quarter of the birds from the endangered species list
of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and 700 species were affected by the
warming planet. (scientific American, climate change).

Most Zoos are made for entertainment and contribute conservation, but animals are going
strong in zoos. But climate change and massive deforestation is a major threat to many species
in the world. some endangered animals are extinct and may go extinct. Even now zoos agreed
to have a species preserved than be lost for all time. Zoo provide natural habitat for animals to
multiply its species. (dr.dave hone, the guardian zoos and aquariums of the world .)

Today, the Philippines has more than 30 Zoos to exhibit and care for these species, and 8 of
those are found in the National Capital Region. Manila Zoo being one was recently closed
because of its inadequate facilities for the proper treatment of animals.

The largest collection of animals in the Philippines is found at Avilon Zoo with land area of 7.5
hectares. The facility has 3000 animals with more than 600 species and more than 100 species
of Birds. avilon zoo continuously preserving more than 600 species include the endangered
animals reaching the goal to multiply the species. Avilon zoo helps educate people about the
wildlife of the animals and give awareness of the effect of climate and environment change to
the species.

Therefore, the researcher is proposing to revive and revitalized avilon zoological park and
wildlife facilities for the beneficial of endangered animals, users and environment.
1.1 Problem of the statement and rationale
1.1.1 Rationale
This project supports the Philippines from facing the problem of extinction of wild animals. This
helps to increase the birth rate of animals than the death rate of animals. Offering to multiply the
endangered species while giving conservation. The unpredictable climate and environment
change in the World may together affect the wild animals. The zoo contribute preservation
before it become extinct. This project helps give awareness to people the condition of earth and
how animals are affected and how will they able to help to save those left species in the world.

1.1.2.1. Main problem

What is the most sustainable design and planning strategy of a zoo facilities that would both be
beneficial for the animals, humans and environment.

1.1.2.2. Sub problem

 What are the sustainable design trends of a zoo?
 What are the animal behaviors and activity patterns that influenced zoo design?
 What are the facilities needed to increase human animal interaction without simply
putting them into cage?
 What innovations and technologies could be incorporated in the design and master
planning of a zoological environment that educates increase mobility and way finding
and heightens interest on the users?

Goals and objectives:

Goals:

To be able to design and plan sustainable strategies of zoo facilities that would be beneficial
to users, animals and environment.

Objectives:

 to research and compare different sustainable design of trends of a zoo.

 to research and integrate specific animal behaviors and activity patterns that could
influence zoo design.
 to conduct case studies and literature review on human-animal interaction in caged
and non-caged environment or to mimic their natural habitat.
 To research on best practices on innovation that educates , increases mobility,
creates awareness on wayfinding and heightens interests of the users.
1.2 Project Proponent Profile
Name: Avilon Zoo

Address: 9003 GP sitio Gulod San Isidro Rodriguez, Montalban Rizal

Zoo administrator: Jake Gaw

Proponent details:

Avilon zoo are operated by Avilon Wildlife Conservation Foundation Incorporated member of
Southeast Asian Zoo Association (SEAZA), located at San Isidro Rodriguez, Montalban Rizal
has 7.5 hecatares Zological and Botanical park with large collection of animals with more than
3000 species.

1.3 Stakeholders Profile

Avilon Wildlife Conservation Foundation Incorporated

Avilon zoo WCF is member of Philippine Zoos Association (PHILZOOS) and Southeast
Asian Zoos Association (SEAZA), a non-profit organization that continuously committed
to contribute to Philippine wildlife Conservation through education, ex situ species
preservation Programs. It is internationally recognized and accredited zoological
institution in the Philipines. Avilon WCF runs both Avilon zoo in rizal and Ark Avilon Zoo
in pasig city but currently closed.

South east Asian Zoo Association

Southeast Asian Zoos and Aquariums Association (SEAZA) is a non-profit organization
and non-governmental organization of zoological institution in the southeast Asian
region. This organization promote among its member the acceptable standards and
practices of zoos and contribute to the advancement of wildlife science and education. It
aims to help strengthen the conservation and management plans and to provide a better
recreational learning experience of zoo visitors, educate people about the wildlife
conservation.
1.4. Definition of Terms and Concept
Aviary- massive cage or structure where birds are kept for viewing.

Zoological – scientific study of animals and their structure.

Botanical- scientific study of plants and its life

Megadiversity- any group of nations that harbor the majority of earth’s species and high
numbers of endemic species.

Biodiversity- the variety of life in the world, habitat and ecosystem.

Endangered animals- animals that are near to extinct.

Extinct- species that are no longer exist.

Natural Habitat- nature place where species specifically lives.

Wildlife – wild animals living in nature.

Keeper- animal attendant under employed in zoo.

1.5 Significance of the study

1.5.1 Technical significance and implications

 Provide innovative strategies that would foster human-animal interaction while educating
users.

1.5.2 Social significance and implications

 Promotion and education of wildlife found in the country and the rest of the world.
 Strengthen social bond of families who visits zoo.

1.5.3 Economic significance and implications

 Generation of jobs in the locals

 Increase commerce and exchange of goods and services within the vicinity.

1.5.4 Environmental Significance and Implications

 create and stimulate natural habitat of the animals without major environment
alterations.
 Creates a breathing space within the locality by developing parks, open spaces and lush
vegetations.
1.6 Scopes and Limitations

Architectural: the researcher will provide all the pertinent drawings and details of zoological
park and wildlife facility from conceptualization, schematics and design development along with
all the visualizations that would explain its architectural design and merit.
Planning and Urban design: planning area would be the entire 7.5 hectares of the site
including its potential expansion, areas outside the defined boundaries would be outside the
scope of the researcher although it would be highly considered in site and urban spatial
analysis.
Landscape design: the researcher/designer will provide necessary landscape design and
visualization to accentuate its architectural value.
Cost and analysis and Feasibility studies: the researcher will include only pertinent laws and
codes that would affect the design of a zoological and wildlife facility.
Legalities and code reviews: researches will include only pertinent laws and codes that would
affect the design of a zoological and wildlife facility.
Structural design: researcher will include structural conceptualizing and visualization but limits
itself to the detailed computations of each elements although consultation with structural
engineers will also be beneficial.
Building utilities: researcher includes all utilities needed in the design of a zoological facilities,
specifically MEPF (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Fire Protection).

1.7 conceptual framework

Conceptual framework

Problems: Opportunities:

Inadequate facilities
skilled workers.

Endangered species are being stolen.

Supported by Philippine
The site surrounded by subdivision cause wildlife conservation.
of noise.

Lack of research facility. Hundreds of species can be

found.

Visitors are the basis

of funds. Continuous of breeding
extinct species.
1.8 Target user
Primary

 Tourist and Students

Secondary

 Zookeeper

Tertiary

 Utilities providers