MANILA, Philippines -- An animal-for-reptile exchange has been proposed by Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim so the city can address its surplus of crocodiles and add to its animal collection.

Lim Tuesday said he was willing to exchange 20 of the Manila Zoo?s more than 40 crocodiles for animals like elephants, zebras and giraffes.

?The Manila Zoo continues to expand its collection of animals both locally and from other parts of the world. We are willing to swap animals with other zoos,? Lim said.

He said city veterinarians were coordinating with other zoo officials while the city government had written Thailand and India about the possibility of getting some elephants.

Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward Hagedorn has promised to donate some animals to the Manila Zoo, according to Lim.

Deogracias Manimbo, chief of the Manila public recreations bureau, said the Manila Zoo recently received two tigers from Camp Farms in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija, and a reptile from Cayman Islands.

500 animals

The Manila Zoological and Botanical Garden opened its doors to the public on July 25, 1959. It has a population of about 500 animals, according to the website of the My Zoo volunteer group.

There are 30 different kinds of mammal species, 63 reptilian species and 13 species of birds, said the group.

Besides its elephant, lions and hippos, Manila Zoo has several endemic and indigenous species like the bear cat and long-tailed macaques. Tina G. Santos