For animal and nature loving folks, Baluarte Zoo is a must-visit attraction located at the heart of Vigan City. It is a zoological park that aims to protect and conserve endangered species and wildlife. It is owned and maintained by Chavit Singson. He opened it to the public primarily as a gesture to his people.
At the top the hill, there is showroom called “Safari Gallery“. It is a trophy room which features the preserved remains of animals Chavit Singson hunted in various parts of the world. Singson intended the gallery for people of Ilocos so they could see exotic animals without going to Manila or outside the country.
Baluarte offers a mini zoo, resort complex that lies in hectares of land, and a butterfly farm. The area open to the public has plenty more engaging attractions that visitors can busy themselves with aside from the mini zoo. There is a butterfly farm, a track for horse riding and a skeet shooting range. Visitors can start with visiting the rows of cages where they can see lions, Bengal tigers, peacocks, civet cats, iguanas, pythons and other reptiles and birds. In this part of the Baluarte, people will also be able to see the Philippine cloud rat, a nocturnal animal endemic to the Philippine Cordillera region. This very large rodent is an herbivore and hunted by large birds and local people. – Vigan City Website.
Baluarte Zoo Pictures
