ENDANGERED The country’s key wildlife species (clockwise from top left) like the “tamaraw,” the Philippine eagle, local marine turtle and the pangolin will be protected under a partnership between the government and private groups. Also included in the conservation campaign are the Philippine cockatoo and dugong (not in photo). —Inquirer file photos
MANILA, Philippines — The government is partnering with five wildlife conservation groups to save six endangered species from extinction, including the Philippine eagle, “tamaraw,” and dugong.
On the second day of the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the environmental nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).
Each NGO has been tapped to focus on specific animals under the agreement, officials led by Environment Secretary Ma. Antonia Yulo Loyzaga said.
Under the MOA, the Philippine Eagle Foundation shall be in charge of the protection of the country’s national bird, the Philippine eagle, while the World Wide Fund for Nature shall work for the conservation of both the dugong and “pawikan” or sea turtle.
READ: 2,000 species critically endangered, threatened or vulnerable – DENR
The MOA also designates the Zoological Society of London to ramp up efforts to preserve the tamaraw; the d’Aboville Foundation, the pangolin; and the Katala Foundation, the Philippine cockatoo.
Biodiversity loss
At the signing and launch of the Save from Extinction campaign on Tuesday, Loyzaga cited the urgency of the initiative, in light of the Philippines’ reputation as one of the world’s “megadiverse countries.”
“We have over 52,000 species, around half of which are endemic. Around 2,000 species of flora and fauna, ranging from vulnerable to endangered,” she added.
Loyzaga attributed the country’s biodiversity loss to the unabated degradation of forests, pollution, wildlife trafficking, and land use conversion.
“Our experience has been [marked by] habitat loss through human action, and extreme weather events can alter these habitats and act as tipping points for the loss of ecosystem function and these species,” she said.
According to the DENR, only about 784 Philippine eagles are left, while only about 465 to 702 tamaraws remain in the wild. On the other hand, the population of the Palawan cockatoo stands at just 650 to 1,120.
The numbers are well below the threshold set by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, which classifies a species as endangered when its population has less than 2,500 mature individuals.
Furthermore, the DENR noted it had monitored 21 dugong sites and 458 nesting sites of pawikan, with the agency aiming for a 50-percent increase.
Roles in ecosystem
In a video presentation, the DENR highlighted several threats facing the six species, which play important roles in each of their ecosystems.
The dugong, which helps keep ocean grass healthy, is being hunted for its meat, while the Philippine pangolin, which feeds on termites and ants, is being poached primarily for traditional medicine.
The Philippine eagle’s numbers are also in decline due to habitat loss and being hunted for sport. The Philippine cockatoo, which helps regenerate forests by dispersing seeds, is being traded as an exotic pet, while the tamaraw is losing its numbers to traps and illegal poaching. Poachers also target the eggs and shells of sea turtles.
Loyzaga said the government recognized the importance of saving these animals. However, “due to the limited fiscal space and competing priorities, we realize we cannot do this alone,” she said.
Mall donation boxes
The DENR has also partnered with the private sector, through the SM Group, which Loyzaga said “will use its retail platforms to raise funds for the conservation of these species through our conservation partners’ work.”
“These remarkable creatures are not just symbols of our nation, they are vital components of our ecosystem,” said Steven Tan, president of SM Supermalls.
He said the company would raise funds for the benefit of the NGOs, with donation boxes to be placed in malls, and an awareness campaign featured across the company’s premises and online platforms. A portion of the proceeds of SM’s Kultura merchandise will also be donated to the conservation effort.
“I urge everyone here to recognize the importance of this campaign, become aware of the threats these animals face, and consider making a donation to our partner organizations that are diligently working to protect these species,” Tan said.