Save wildlife from extinction

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), in partnership with SM Supermalls, BDO Unibank, Kultura, the Forest Foundation Philippines, Katala Foundation, Philippine Eagle Foundation, World Wide Fund for Nature – Philippines, D’Aboville Foundation and the Zoological Society of London – Philippines, has embarked on a campaign to raise funds to support the protection and conservation of six of the country’s unique animal species that are critically endangered.

At a recent event held at the Lanson Place at the Mall of Asia complex in Pasay City, DENR Secretary Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga highlighted the fact that the Philippines is recognized globally as one of the 17 mega diverse countries, which acknowledges our country’s wealth of unique species.

At the same time, she pointed out, the Philippines is also recognized as a biodiversity hotspot, a designation that highlights that “our diverse animal species are in an alarming state as far as our ecosystems and the species that depend on them, including ourselves.”

The Philippines, she said, is home to about 52,000 species of flora and fauna, of which about half are endemic and about 2,000 are already classified as vulnerable and critically endangered. So many of these species, she said, are not found anywhere else in the world.

Unfortunately, she lamented the threat that faces our flora and fauna. These threats include loss of habitat due to deforestation, urbanization, and unregulated and destructive agricultural practices which is “pushing our unique flora and fauna to the brink of extinction. Without action, we risk losing not just species, but the essential services they provide, services that are vital for our own survival and to the web of life.”

She cited six of the most critically endangered, starting with the Philippine eagle, the tamaraw, the dugong, the Philippine cockatoo, marine turtles and the Palawan pangolin.

To be quite honest, I myself have not personally seen the Philippine eagle, pangolin, cockatoo, the dugong and the tamaraw, except in pictures. The only species that I have seen are marine turtles, but I have witnessed the harvesting and sale of turtle eggs in my younger years when they were quite abundant and it was a delicacy.

Secretary Loyzaga elaborated that each of the six species represents the broader challenge the country faces in its conservation program. She stressed that “their survival is intrinsically linked to the health of our ecosystems.” The six species, she added, are “the umbrella species because not only are they important on their own, but they are also important to the survival of other endangered species.”

Individually, she elaborated, the Philippine eagle, which is the symbol of our country and our natural heritage, now numbers fewer than 400 in the wild, having to live in the remaining 43 percent of forest cover that the country has. It has been illegally hunted, and its reproduction has greatly diminished, driving it further to extinction.

The tamaraw, she explained, is a small but resilient species of buffalo found only on the island of Mindoro. Its number is also facing a dramatic decline, with its current population now estimated at anywhere from 574 to 610 and threatened by genetic erosion from inbreeding.

The sea mammal dugong is related to the manatee and is important in maintaining a healthy seagrass ecosystem. The country’s seagrass ecosystem is now barely half of what it was in the past due to environmental degradation and development of foreshore areas. Because the dugong population is so elusive and difficult to spot, the DENR does not have an exact count of the existing population.

Similarly in danger of extinction are our marine turtles, such as the Hawksbill species, due to encroachment of their nesting sites, pollution and continued harvesting of eggs. Egg laying, according to the DENR, has decreased by 80 percent in the 1980s.

The Philippine cockatoo, which comes from the parrot species, currently has an estimated population of anywhere from 650 to 1,120 in the wild. It is threatened by illegal trapping and trade and habitat destruction.

Last on the DENR list is the Palawan pangolin that is heavily trafficked for its scales and meat and now faces an uncertain future.

The six species, Secretary Loyzaga warned, are “not isolated examples – they are really a reflection of the broader species crisis in the Philippines. The DENR’s national list of threatened terrestrial species includes 1,106 fauna and 984 flora based on assessment primarily of local scientists.”

The International Union for Conservation of Nature or IUCN, she said, has recognized the Philippines as home to one of the world’s highest rates of endemism and the highest number of species per unit area. Likewise, she continued, our country is also one of the places on earth where there is a high probability of species extinction in modern times. The Philippines recently rejoined the IUCN after falling out of the organization for a brief period.

In her appeal, the DENR Secretary emphasized that the six species are “not just icons of our natural heritage; they also play a crucial role in the health of our ecosystems, forests, coral reefs and seagrass beds. We need to achieve integrity and balance in these ecosystems through the vital roles that are being played by the species that inhabit them. The Philippine eagle helps to maintain the balance of forest ecosystems by regulating prey populations, while dugongs and marine turtles sustain the health of seagrasses and coral reefs by grazing, preventing overgrowth, and supporting marine biodiversity.”

The Philippine cockatoo, she went on, aids forest regeneration by dispersing seeds, while the tamaraw preserves grassland integrity by controlling vegetation. The Palawan pangolin supports ecosystem health by managing insect populations, particularly ants and termites.

Loyzaga warned that “without these species, these ecosystems would struggle to sustain their biodiversity and the services that are the lifeblood of both wildlife and people.”

Thus, this holiday season, gift giving becomes more meaningful as the DENR partners with SM Supermalls, BDO Unibank, Kultura, the Forest Foundation Philippines, Katala Foundation, Philippine Eagle Foundation, World Wide Fund for Nature – Philippines, D’Aboville Foundation, and the Zoological Society of London – Philippines, to make it possible for the public to support the preservation of endangered species in the country through its Save from Extinction fundraising campaign to generate financial support for the six animals that are on the brink of extinction.

According to Steven Tan, president of SM Supermalls, the public can support the DENR-led conservation program by purchasing t-shirts and tote bags from SM Retail brand Kultura featuring the Philippine eagle, pawikan, tamaraw, cockatoo, dugong, and the Philippine pangolin – six majestic creatures that are at critical risk of disappearing from our world.

What makes the t-shirts and tote bags such thoughtful gifts this Christmas is that they are not only stylish and unique, but they also carry a powerful message. Each item features beautiful designs of the six endangered species, serving as a reminder of the urgent need to protect our natural heritage. By purchasing one (or more), buyers contribute to a greater cause that impacts the environment, wildlife, and future generations.

The public, Tan added, can also support the campaign through direct cash donations in specific boxes in the Save From Extinction kiosks or donate through BDO ATMs, online banking, and over-the-counter in BDO branches nationwide. Funds raised through the campaign will support conservation efforts led by the World Wide Fund for Nature Philippines, Philippine Eagle Foundation, Zoological Society of London, D’Aboville Foundation, and Katala Foundation – DENR’s trusted non-government organization (NGO) partners – ensuring that these animals are given the best chance to survive.

Visit the Save from Extinction special Kultura kiosks at SM North EDSA, SM Megamall, SM Mall of Asia, SM Aura, and SM Makati until the end of December and give gifts that give back. After December, Save From Extinction merchandise will remain available at select Kultura branches.