Philippines: Forest conservation saves vanishing eagle

Imelda V. Abaño Business Mirror 4 Sep 12;

DIMINISHING forests aggravated by the threats of disasters and climate change continues to threaten the survival of the rare and endangered Philippine Eagle and other wildlife species in the country, according to the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB).

While the natural ecosystem continues to be threatened, more comprehensive programs such as reforestation of remaining forests and denuded watershed, mangrove planting and protection of natural heritage parks should be vigorously undertaken, said PAWB Assistant Director Nelson Devanadera.

“Stopping deforestation and forest degeneration are more urgent so we could conserve wildlife and endangered species such as the Philippine Eagle. It should also be noted that hunting of these rare birds and other threatened species is a criminal offense under the wildlife law,” Devanadera told the BusinessMirror, saying that wildlife-conservation efforts have been implemented throughout the country.

Considered among the largest eagles in the world, the Philippine Eagle is usually found in the Sierra Madre and Cordillera mountain ranges in Luzon, and in forested areas of Mindanao.

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature has categorized the Philippine Eagle as critically endangered. The continued destruction of its natural forest habitat threatens its survival in the wild.

According to the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF), a non-profit organization that serves as a research and breeding facility of the Philippine Eagle in Davao City, indiscriminate hunting, logging, expanding agriculture and mining are major causes of the species’ dwindling population.

Roli Pinsoy, Communication Officer of the PEF, said that at present, there are only 400 pairs or 800 birds, of Philippine Eagle remaining in the wild. There are only 35 eagles at the PEF eagle center in Malagos in Davao. He said that since the 1970s, the center has admitted 69 eagles, most of them rescued or turned over to the center.

Pinsoy said the PEF needs to raise at least P20 million to sustain its operation. He said at least P150,000 a year is needed for the upkeep of each rare eagle in the center which includes food, medicine and maintenance of its aviary. He said the PEF hopes to save the Philippine Eagle from extinction through its conservation and education awareness programs. Its Adopt-An-Eagle program encourages any individual or company to adopt an eagle by donating P125,000 per year to the center for the rehabilitation and medicine needs of the adopted eagle.

“We have existing projects with the government through the environment department on the research and conservation program for the Philippine Eagle. We also have to sustain partnership with other organizations so we could sustain our advocacy in saving these endangered species,” Pinsoy told the BusinessMirror.

Earlier, Presidential Adviser on Environmental Protection Nereus Acosta told the BusinessMirror that in order to save the Philippine Eagle as well as other threatened species, national efforts to implement conservation measures should also be undertaken to protect heritage parks in the country.

There are four heritage parks in the Philippines declared by the Asean Center for Biodiversity: the natural parks in Mt. Apo, Mt. Iglit-Baco, Mt. Kitanglad Range and Mt Malindang Range.

“If we can’t protect our forests, then there is no life to sustain, no livelihood and economics to speak of. We have to protect and value our natural resources through the implementation of effective governance and management at all levels,” Acosta said.

While climate change is likely to affect forest expansion and migration and exacerbate threats to biodiversity, Dr. Rodel Lasco of the World Agroforestry Center earlier said some of the measures for ecosystem adaptation are: improved technologies for tree plantation development and reforestation; comprehensive inter-sectoral programs that combine measures to control deforestation and forest degradation with measures to increase agricultural productivity and sustainability; and reducing logging waste, implementing soil conservation practices, and using wood in a more carbon-efficient way.