The renovated new Manila Zoo will open fully to the public by 15 November although walk-ins would still not be allowed, facility director Alipio Morabe told Daily Tribune yesterday.

Morabe said that tickets must be secured by visitors by pre-registering for available dates through the GOMANILA apps. No ticket booths will be constructed at the gate.

He said the measure is to help minimize the spread of Covid-19. Only a thousand visitors will be accommodated each day in keeping with health protocols, he added.

The zoo management is expecting the arrival of more wildlife from abroad and local habitats to make more varied the species on display for the public enjoyment, Morabe revealed.

Final ticket pricing will still be determined by the Manila City Council, but proposals are P250 for non-Manila residents and P150 for Manila residents. There's a proposal to provide Manila's senior citizens free entry to the zoo.

He said tentative operating hours for the zoo would be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. as the animals also need to rest away from the prying eyes of visitors.

Online registration and payment will be the only mode available.

Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna led the planting of the iconic Nilad tree inside the Manila Zoo. The name of the capital city was said to have been derived from the said tree.

She was accompanied by other city hall officials and representatives from the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources.

Lacuna has vowed to continue the clean and green program of her predecessor, former mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso, in planting more trees in city enclaves like the Arroceros Forest Park across the historic Pasig River.