Wildlife encounters

Common people would not fully understand the term “very lucky” when scientists use such phrase. It actually means so much, especially for us who are studying biodiversity and ecology. This can be demonstrated when we encounter animal species endemic to the Philippines. The earthworm-eating rat, Cordillera stripe shrew-rat (Chrotomys whiteheadi), is an example. This beautiful rat is endemic to the Cordillera (i.e., this animal can be found only in the Cordillera region). It has rounded ears, a short tail, and a brown stripe that runs along its back. It is especially exciting is if you are able to catch a live specimen of an endemic species since you are able to observe its behavior.

When I started my work in 2011 on small non-flying mammals (rats and mice) in Mt. Sto Tomas, Tuba, Benguet (the highest peak that represents the southernmost boundary of the Cordillera mountains), I started wanting to extend this kind of excitement to other people. When I came back to UP Baguio after earning a master’s degree, I began showing my collections to my students by creating an additional exercise as part of their Comparative Anatomy classes. Thus, I had my first batch of students, and probably the first batch of BS Biology students of UP Baguio, who saw six species of rats and mice that are only found in the Philippines, three of which are only found in the Cordillera.

Things became even more memorable for me when several BS Biology students and CS faculty members saw a live specimen of the Philippine forest rat (Rattus everetti) when we had a field trip in Mt. Sto Tomas (with the approval of the local community). This species is endemic to the Philippines and it closely resembles the large rats that we see in human dwellings, but differs significantly in that this species is relatively large. Another distinguishing characteristic is that half of its tail is white in color. This rat is also clean and only lives in forests.

Another very recent encounter, and so far the most important, is our capture of another individual of Large Luzon forest rat (Bullimus luzonicus) in Camp John Hay during our Ecology Class fieldtrip, with the approval of the Camp John Hay Development Corp. This would best describe the phrase “very lucky” for the team, which captured the animal on the first night the trap was set.  This species is another large rat that can reach up to half a meter in length (from the snout to the tip of the tail), with thick smooth hair and a distinct white portion of the last one fifth of its tail. This Luzon endemic rat was first documented in Camp John Hay in 2008, together with two other endemic species, through a study that sought to determine the diversity of mammals in Baguio City. It appears that the protected forest of Camp John Hay is the remaining habitat that supports the existence of these endemic species in Baguio City.

My field work, which has included the collection of voucher specimens, was under the approval the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (Cordillera Administrative Region). Animals collected during the two fieldtrips mentioned above were released immediately into their habitats after documentation. The location of UP Baguio is very strategic in terms of conducting additional research because of its proximity to the habitats where these endemic species of mammals are found. Some of the studies we are planning include long-term monitoring of the species and their habitats and further elucidation of their responses and tolerance to habitat disturbances. At this time, conservation and protection of their habitats must be taken as a priority in order to protect the animals. Real-life encounters and making the public become more aware of the existence and peculiarity of our endemic species will contribute significantly to strengthening this campaign.

At present, the Camp John Hay Development Corp. is taking necessary measures to maintain and protect the forests within their jurisdiction. The ban on kaingin and charcoal making within Mt. Sto. Tomas has been helping to prevent further conversion of forest into agricultural areas. 

At this time, I can say that these real life encounters with the wildlife by more and more individuals may contribute to the conservation and protection of such Philippine treasures. My hope is indeed to see more people appreciating these animals, and at the same time helping in campaigning for the protection of their habitats, our remaining forests that are critical to support their existence.

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Aris A. Reginaldo is an assistant professor at the Department of Biology, College of Science, University of the Philippines Baguio.  He earned his BS Biology, cum laude, from UP Baguio in 2006 and MS Zoology from UP Los Banos in 2011. He can be contacted via e-mail at [email protected].