SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 
268 
) 
) 
) 
"13 
JIJL 
Introduced'by Sen. Manuel"Lito".M. Lapid 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Over the past year the deteriorating health of Mali, Manila Zoo's lone elephant, 
has brought attention to devastating zoo conditions in the Philippines. Mali's plight 
and her poor living conditions caused an international clamor for her release and 
transfer. Despite public pressure and several Senate Resolutions filed supporting Mali's 
release there has been no improvement of her condition. 
More deplorable is the poor care that was given to Lolong,. the world's largest 
captive crocodile, who was the star atlraction in an eco-tourism park in Agusan del Sur. 
The necropsy shows that Lolong died due to poor physiological and environmental 
conditions that were left untreated by park keepers. 
Lolong s death and Mali's deteriorating health point out the inefficiency of 
present legislation to address the needs of animals in captivity for the purpose of 
exhibition to the public. Republic Act No. 8485, more popularly known as the "Animal 
Welfare Act of 1998," states a general requirement for zoos to treat animals humanely 
and to provide for adequate, clean, and sanitary establishments. However, the Act does 
not outline minimum standards of care and sanitation for zoos and aquariums. Hence 
the need for further legislation. 
The proposed measure outlines internationally accepted minimum standards for 
the care and accommodation of animals in zoos and aquaria. Such standards should be 
complied with before zoos and aquaria are licensed to operate. 
In view of the foregOing,. the immediate passage of this bill is earnestl 
.. ;;;,ij-... 
Senator 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
) 
) 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
288 
S.B. No. 
Introduced by Sen. Manuel "lito" M. Lap~if 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING STANDARDS FOR CARE 
FOR ANIMALS HELD IN CAPTIVIlY 
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Be it enacted by the Senate and the House oj Representatives oj the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
. 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Zoo Animals' 
Welfare Act of 2013." 
SEC. 2. Declaration of PoliCl}. -
It is the purpose of this Act to protect and 
promote the welfare of all animals in the Philippines held in captivity for the purpose of 
exhibition to the public. 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, unless otherwise indicated: 
(a) "Zoo" shall refer to any establishment, except circuses and pet shops, 
whether publicly or privately owned, where live animals are kept for 
exhibition to the public for seven or more days a year, including zoological 
collections, animal parks, safari parks, bird gardens, dolphinaria, aquaria, and 
specialist collections, including those for invertebrates; 
(b) "Animal" shall refer to all species of the animal kingdom including species of 
the classes· Mammalia, Aves, Reptilia, Amphibia, Pisces, and groups of 
ffivertebrata; 
(c) "Welfare" shall refer to the physical, behavioral, and social well-being of 
animals through the provision of appropriate conditions for the species 
involved, including but not necessarily limited to housing, environment, diet, 
medical care, and social contact where applicable; and 
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(d) "Enclosure" shall refer to any accommodation provided for animals in zoos 
and aquaria; and 
SEC. 4. Routine Observation of Animals. -
The condition and health of all 
animals in the zoo shall be checked daily by the persons in charge of their care for that 
particular day. Animals which are noted to be unduly stressed, sick or injured shall be 
given immediate attention and, where necessary, treatment 
SEC. 5. AccommodatiOIls. -
Animals shall be provided with an environment, 
space, and equipment sufficient to allow such exercise as is needed for the welfare of 
their particular species. The following minimum standards of enclosures shall be 
observed: 
(a) The physical carrying capacity of the enclosure shall not be over-burdened; 
(b) Enclosures should ensure that animals cannot be unnaturally provoked for 
the benefit of the viewing pUblic; 
(c) The animals placed in visibly adjoining enclosures shall not be those which 
interact in an excessively stressful way; 
(d) Separate accommodation should be capable of being made for pregnant 
animals and animals with young, if necessary, in the interests of avoiding 
unnecessary stress or suffering; and 
(e) Separate accommodation should be capable of being made for animals being 
temporarily separated from a group. 
(f) The temperature, humidity, ventilation, and lighting shall be that suitable for 
the comfort and well-being of the particular species; 
(g) Outdoor enclosures shall be provided with sufficient shelter from inclement 
weather or excessive sunlight where this is necessary for the comfort and 
well-being of the particular species; 
(h) Enclosures, shall be furnished such items and equipment in acco'rdance with 
the needs of the species, such as, bedding material, perching,' vegetation, 
burrows, nesting boxes, and pools; 
(i) Vegetation capable of harming animals must be kept out of their reach; 
(j) The installation of any electrical apparatus or equipment shall be done in 
such a way that it does not present a hazard to animals and its safe operation 
cannot be disrupted by them; 
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(k) Rubbish in enclosures is cleared regularly to avoid any possibility of harm; 
and 
(1) Any direct physical contact between animals and visiting guests should only 
be under the control of zoo staff and for periods of time and under conditions 
consistent with the animals' welfare and not leading to their discomfort. 
SEC. 6. Defects. - Any defects in animal barriers and appliances or equipment 
within enclosures shall be repaired or replaced without delay. If not possible, the 
animals shall be removed from the possibility of any contact with the source of the 
danger. 
SEC. 7. Food and Drink. - Food and drink to be provided to animals in zoos 
should be of the nutritive value and quantity required for the particular species, bearing 
in mind the conditio]:\, size and age of each animal, and the need to allow for special 
circumstances and special diets for certain animals. Veterinary or other specialist 
advice should be obtained and followed concerning all aspects of nutrition. 
Uncontrolled feeding by visitors shall not be permitted. Where feeding is permitted it 
should be on a selective basis only with suitable food provided and approved by the 
management 
SEC. 8. VeterinanJ Care. - Arrangements shall be made for routine veterinary 
examination, including parasite checks. Preventive medication, including vaccination 
shall be administered at such intervals as may be recommended by a veterinary 
surgeon or practitioner. 
SEC. 9. Safety and Security. - Animals shall be kept at all times in enclosures, 
except for free-running non-hazardous animals which shall be kept within the 
perimeter of the zoo as well as for animals under the control of authorized staff. 
Stand-off barriers shall be provided where direct contact would be possible 
between visitors and hazardous animals through or over any enclosure barrier, to the 
extent that such an animal would be capable of causing injury. 
SEC. 10. Emergency First-Aid. - First-aid equipment and written first-aid 
instructions shall be made readily accessible on the premises. 
Where venomous 
animals are kept in a zoo, the appropriate and up-to-date anti-venom medication shall 
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be held at the zoo or a local hospital within a reasonable distance ensuring the safely of 
staff and visitors. 
SEC. 11. Registration and Licensing. - The Bureau of Animal Industry shall not 
issue the certificate of registration and! or license specified in Republic Act No. 8485 
without first ascertaining full compliance by zoos of the conditions set forth herein. 
SEC. 12. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of 
this Act shall be provided in a supplemental budget or included in the General 
Appropriations Act of the year of its enactment into law. Thereafter, the expenses for 
its continued implementation shall be included in the subsequent General 
Appropriations Act. 
SEC. 13. Implementing Agency. - The Department of Agriculture, in coordination 
with the Bureau of Animal Industry and other relevant agencies, shall promulgate rules 
and regulations to implement the provisiOns of this Act. 
SEC. 14. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, 
rules, and regulations, or portions thereof, inconsistent with this Act are hereby 
repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 15. Separability Clause. - If any part of provision of this Act shall be held 
unconstitutional or invalid, other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall 
continue to be in full force and effect. 
SEC. 16. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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