Dr. Donato's Wildlife Adventures with Cebu Pacific

CEBU, Philippines - People travel for a variety of reasons — for work, to have fun, to be with loved ones. One Cebu Pacific frequent flier, Doctor Nielsen Donato, travels for a noble cause. His mission: to save different animals from possible extinction.

Known as the Dr. Doolittle and Steve Irwin of the Philippines, Dr. Donato is a renowned veterinarian of companion and domestic animals. His passion for nature and wildlife led him to go way above the call of duty and beyond his clinic hours. Dr Donato’s primary advocacy is to go around the country to rescue animals from poachers, and to help in the survival of various species. An avid enforcer of RA 9147, or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, Dr. Donato moves from one island to another just to rescue and rehabilitate animals and preserve their habitats.

“I do my best to save these animals. It’s my advocacy for the succeeding generation of Filipinos,” the island-hopping veterinarian said. “When I have great grandchildren, I want these animals to still be here. I don’t want the younger generation to read about these animals in books that say ‘once they were here, but now they’re extinct.’”

Cebu Pacific’s wide network and convenient flights to various destinations around the Philippines make it easier for him to carry out his philanthropic activities.

A fulfilling career

Aside from treating various domestic animals in his clinics across Metro Manila, Dr. Donato oversees the Laguna Wildlife Park and Rehabilitation Center, a five-year old sanctuary for exotic and endemic animals that are confiscated from black market traders and surrendered by kind-hearted citizens. He also leads rescue operations and projects that aim to reintroduce rehabilitated animals into the wild.

Dr. Donato has lost count of the number of animals he has saved, but he vividly remembers instances when he risked his life and limb to save different wild animals, like crocodiles and snakes. He remembers the tigers that he discovered cramped in small rooms, which he rescued from illegal traders. He also recalls how he and his team wrestled with crocodiles to subdue them.

“I first bring a rescued animal to this park. If we find a suitable facility or reserve for them, I transfer these animals to those places,” said Dr. Donato as he fed one of the rescued cockatoos in the sanctuary. “The exciting thing about rescuing these animals is that you know that they’ll be safer, happier and healthier.”

The variety of wildlife inside the park is a testament to the extensive efforts that Dr. Donato has taken to save animals from all over the country. Red-vented cockatoos, one of the rarest species of birds in the world, perched atop branches, waiting for their reintroduction to the wild in Palawan. A Ring-necked parakeet hatchling sat snugly inside an incubator. Some Philippine deer pranced about inside their enclosures.

Because of his efforts, Dr. Donato has successfully been able to communicate the preservation of local wildlife, to the public. His valiant endeavors have been the subjects of various shows and articles and he has become a frequent key opinion leader concerning environmental policies. Adept in communicating technical matters to the layman, Dr Donato is able to persuade people to be more considerate of nature and the environment.

A well-traveled rescuer

Rescuing wildlife clearly entails a lot of traveling around the country and certain special travel requirements. Dr Donato has several considerations when planning his trips. Aside from the number of available flights per destination, he is also particular about the time of flights, as well as the convenience of flights for him and the animals he rescues. Dr. Donato is thankful that Cebu Pacific can answer practically all his needs.

“The good thing about Cebu Pacific is that they have really early flight schedules. I take these schedules so that the animals won’t be distressed by the heat during the noon or afternoon,” Dr. Donato pointed out. “Also, my trips with Cebu Pacific have always been pleasant and on time.”

The airline has pretty much become a part of the successful execution of the veterinarian’s projects. Dr. Donato cited, “I’m supporting the livelihood projects for the Mangyans of Mindoro so that they won’t hunt the tamaraws anymore. We have provided several amenities for these people, including irrigation and a soap-making industry. When Cebu Pacific started flying to San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, we were able to maximize our efforts for the Mangyans because of the airline’s convenient schedules.”

A call to appreciate local wildlife

Dr. Donato advises the public to discover the wonders of the country’s flora and fauna so that they can appreciate nature more. An avid traveler himself, he believes that there are so many things Filipinos can discover in their own country, especially in terms of local species. He is also a firm believer in educating the youth on the Philippines’ amazing wildlife. This way, appreciation and conservation can be engraved early on, in young minds.

“Instead of going to zoos abroad, I suggest people go around the Philippines, where they can familiarize themselves with our amazing wildlife. I myself have never been to Sorsogon to catch a glimpse of the Butanding (whale shark), which is in my must-see list. In Cebu, there’s a popular bird called the Cebu Flowerpecker, an indigenous species of birds,” advised Dr. Donato. “It takes extra effort to discover the wonders of nature, but it’s worth it… I think that’s what every Filipino should experience.

Dr Donato urges Filipinos to witness the diverse variety of animals in the country, from the tarsiers of Bohol to the tamaraws of Mindoro. Thanks to the affordable direct flights offered by Cebu Pacific to these destinations, people can experience first hand the country’s remarkable and diverse local wildlife.