WHAT ARE THE SUCCESSFUL WILDLIFE CONSERVATION PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS IN THE PHILIPPINES?

WHAT ARE THE SUCCESSFUL WILDLIFE CONSERVATION PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS IN THE PHILIPPINES?

The Philippines is one of the world's 18 megadiverse countries, yet it is also one of the world's biodiversity hotspots under severe threat. We are home to thousands of endemic species found nowhere else on Earth, but many of them are either endangered or critically endangered.

The good news is that we have some successful wildlife conservation stories.

Among the most notable is the Philippine Eagle Conservation Program of the Philippine Eagle Foundation in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Through captive breeding, forest protection, and partnerships with indigenous communities, the program has successfully bred and released Philippine Eagles into the wild while protecting vast forest habitats.

Another success story is the Philippine Cockatoo Conservation Programme of the Katala Foundation, Inc.. The population of the critically endangered Katala in Rasa Island, Palawan, reportedly increased from only about 23 birds in 1998 to several hundred today through community-based nest protection and anti-poaching efforts.

The conservation of the Philippine Crocodile also deserves recognition. Through the efforts of the Mabuwaya Foundation, local governments and universities, several crocodile sanctuaries have been established and hundreds of head-started crocodiles have been released into the wild.

The conservation of the Tamaraw is another encouraging example. The town of Sablayan has become known not only as the gateway to the Apo Reef Natural Park but also as a sanctuary for this critically endangered species. Conservation and tourism are proving that they can coexist.

Marine conservation has also produced remarkable results. Whale shark conservation in Donsol and sea turtle hatchery programs in many coastal provinces have generated livelihoods while protecting marine biodiversity.

Yet, one question continues to bother me.

Why do we hear so few success stories from the Philippines?

Is it because there are very few success stories to report? Or is it because the Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) does not have enough time, manpower, and resources to document and publicize its achievements?

When we look abroad, conservation agencies regularly report their numerical targets and their accomplishments. Brazil reports the recovery of the Golden Lion Tamarin. Spain proudly announced the increase of the Iberian Lynx population from fewer than 100 to more than 2,000. India reports the remarkable recovery of the Assam Rhino. Thailand regularly reports increases in tiger populations.

Why are we not doing the same?

How many Philippine Eagles are we planning to breed in the next five years? Ten years? How many Tamaraws are targeted for population recovery? How many hectares are targeted for rewilding? What are the annual targets and what are the accomplishments?

If money is the problem, I am certain that many Filipinos would gladly support increased funding for wildlife conservation and lobby Congress for additional appropriations.

Or is the BMB simply an orphan bureau within the huge bureaucratic maze of the DENR? Is it receiving the attention it deserves from its mother department?

Another question is whether rewilding is even part of the DENR-BMB agenda. Is there a separate budget for it? Are there specific species identified for reintroduction?

I believe we should also consider entering into wildlife cooperation agreements with neighboring countries such as Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Timor-Leste, Australia, and Papua New Guinea for species recovery and rewilding initiatives.

I am also pleased to note that many tourist resorts are already participating in conservation efforts. The historic experiences of Batangas, particularly around the Verde Island Passage, demonstrated that wildlife conservation works best when entire communities participate.

Indeed, rewilding is not merely a government project. It is a town effort. A long-term town effort.

The formula is simple: the town protects the wild, the wild attracts the world, and the world finances the town.

Perhaps that is the future of wildlife conservation in the Philippines.

RAMON IKE V. SENERES

www.facebook.com/ike.seneres  iseneres@yahoo.com  senseneres.blogspot.com  09088877282/07-22-2027

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