XAVERIAN'S CORNER

Saving our Wildlife
Michael C. Tan (H1A)

Posted Wednesday, 07-Mar-2007 10:39 AM

The article that follows is a result of a voluntary action paper based on a research made in the author’s Science class. Michael is under the tutelage of Mrs. Misyel Albano in the advanced class.

      In relation to our topic about the biosphere/ecosystem, our Science class was tasked to identify one of our country’s environmental problems, what causes it and its effects to the community. We researched on what the government and non-government organizations are doing to address the problem. Being aware of the situation, as High School students, we proposed a plan of action on how we can augment these efforts to help solve the environmental issue. The concern we have identified is about endangered wildlife.

      The Philippines boasts of its exotic wildlife species. We boast of our tarsiers, pilandoks, pawikans, dugongs, tamaraws, mynah birds etc. However, these wildlife animals are on the verge of extinction because of the continuous destruction of their habitat and their illegal capture for trade as well as taking them out of the wild to become pets. One of the institutions helping to preserve these endangered wildlife is the Wildlife Rescue Center of the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (WRC-PAWB) in Quezon City .

      Last February 24, 2007, our High 1- Science group with the supervision of Mrs. Albano volunteered to help in the Wildlife Rescue Center of the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (WRC-PAWB), which is located in the huge 24-hectare Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife along North Avenue, Quezon City. It showcases a variety of exotic and exciting animals like the talking mynah, alligators, civets and more! The rescue center is a temporary shelter for the confiscated and abandoned wildlife animals and this organization aims to rehabilitate the animals until they are ready to be sent back to their natural habitat. During that visit, we were informed that a few months back, an injured and displaced pawikan was sighted in Manila Bay . Some people captured and sent the poor creature to the WRC-PAWB. The center assessed and nursed it back to health. They eventually released the pawikan at Morong, Bataan this past January.

      One of the groups who regularly help the center is the MyZoo volunteer group, whose members dedicate themselves to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of the displaced wildlife species. It was an experience to work with them and share their cause. Upon our arrival, they welcomed us and toured us around the park. They briefed us on what we can do to help. We spent the whole morning sweeping the surroundings of dried leaves and trash.

      In the afternoon, our creativity and carpentry skills were put to test. We sawed some fallen tree branches into smaller pieces. We then drilled holes into them; inserted some rope and they became wooden chew toys and ladders for the birds. It was tiring but yet, a fulfilling experience for all of us.

      Aside from voluntary service, we learned that we could help the WRC-PAWB by providing them the following: pails and food for the animals such as white mice, meat and live prey. A lot of these animals are carnivorous or meat eaters (eg. snakes, crocodiles, etc.). It is important to give them live prey so that they can retain their wild instinct if they are to be released back to the wild. A cash donation would also help to augment the animals’ food supply.

     For those interested to help, you may contact Mr. Andrew Galano, the president of the MyZoo volunteer group at MyZoo@yahoogroups.com . What are you waiting for? Be involved in saving and preserving wildlife species before it would be too late!

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