A boost for the birds

The birds are contributing to the cause of environmentalism at the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center in Quezon City. Through the Malagos Gardens’ Amazing Bird Show, city dwellers are rediscovering the beauty and uniqueness of the feathered denizens. The intelligence and distinct personalities of the bird performers are unmistakable as they follow commands and go through various routines in the show. More importantly, the significance of conserving their forest habitats is underscored.

"There are about 172 species of birds in the Philippines, but sadly one species dies every year, a fact that most Filipinos are unaware of." This was the disturbing statement made by Dr. Roberto "Bo" Puentespina, who conceptualized the bird show. He is also a wildlife conservationist, veterinarian and driving force behind the Malagos Wildlife Preservation Foundation, a non-profit organization that seeks to nurture and protect endangered birds while simultaneously educating the local citizens about the creatures’ importance to the ecosystem.

"Our forests are not like the forests in other countries. Philippine forests are unique because of our birds. The good thing that we have done so far is to undertake efforts to protect and study the Philippine eagle – our national bird, the rarest and largest eagle in the world. But there are other birds that we haven’t studied enough yet. That is why we have formalized our conservation efforts into the Malagos Wildlife Preservation Foundation (MWPF)," says Dr. Puentespina.

The Foundation was born in the foothills of the densely forested Mt. Apo in Davao, home of the endemic Philippine Eagle. Malagos Gardens, a nature sanctuary in Davao, hosts a collection of rare indigenous Philippine flora and a wide assortment of orchids. Several species of butterflies also thrive in the area, and a Bird Park has been built to shelter rescued and rehabilitated birds. The significance of Malagos and its birds becomes more apparent when one considers its status in the district: it serves as one of the watersheds of Davao City, and it is home to the Philippine Eagle Center.

The Foundation seeks to complement the existing initiatives of the bigger and all-encompassing institutions in ecological preservation such as Haribon and World Wildlife Fund. While the goals of these groups address broader issues such as the preservation of entire habitats, the thrust of MWPF is more specific and zoological: save specific species such as the kalaw, Mindanao lorikeets and sea eagles from extinction through research, rescue, medical treatment and breeding. Dr. Puentespina asserts, "If we wait until we are able to reforest our mountains, it might be too late. The birds will be extinct by then." His experience as a volunteer veterinarian with the Philippine Eagle Foundation for the past 15 years has shown Dr. Puentespina that captive breeding could be an immediate and viable alternative.

However, before a captive breeding program could be undertaken, Dr. Puentespina takes on rescue, rehabilitation and treatment of the birds. The birds are housed in the Malagos Bird Park, a three-hectare facility located within the 12-hectare Malagos Gardens. The property is the first in the Philippines and the 39th in the world to be certified by the Audubon Society as a wildlife sanctuary. "I am fortunate that my family and friends have supported my initiative to put the bird park there," says Dr. Puentespina, admitting that the project entails considerable financial support. "Our answer to the funding problem is to operate a bird farm where we breed non-Filipino birds – ostriches, pheasants and ducks – to help us fund our activities in conservation of our local species."

To augment funding for the project, a show similar to those featured in wildlife parks overseas but with birds as performers, was conceived at Malagos Gardens in 2000. However, Dr. Puentespina wanted it to be more than just a circus of performing animals. He wanted it to be entertaining and educational so that it could teach the audience complex concepts about birds, conservation and the environment. Just as importantly, it was also a way to raise the necessary funds to keep the Bird Park going.

It was two years later, in April 2002, when the first of the Malagos Garden bird shows was presented. Cast members included Wali, the African grey parrot; Balda, a rehabilitated Brahminy kite; Leila, a white umbrella cockatoo; Filemon the ostrich; Wacky, the large-billed crow; and Maganda, the sharp and witty yellow-fronted Amazon parrot.

The bird shows in Davao were a success, and Dr. Puentespina decided to bring the show to other major Philippine cities so that urban dwellers would be able to appreciate the wonder of Filipino exotic birds. The first performance in Metro Manila was held in September 2004. The bird show incorporated civic values such as sportsmanship, punctuality, proper waste disposal and environmental responsibility. "The show aims to educate people about practices that work in tandem with nature," explains Dr. Puentespina. To the delight of the audience, particularly the children, the strategy was to allow the birds to come up close and interact with them.

"Many organizations rely on donations to be able to do their noble activities. But the economic situation is not so good so there is donor fatigue," continues Dr. Puentespina. However, the upkeep and rehabilitation of ailing and injured birds requires constant funding. Concerned citizens, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and collectors who cannot provide for the upkeep of their birds continue to turn over birds to the Bird Park. In addition, it doesn’t help that the forests are rapidly diminishing. Thus, the importance of being able to generate funds to sustain the treatment and rehabilitation of the birds before they are eventually released or earmarked for captive breeding projects becomes imperative. "We don’t want to go around begging for money," says Dr. Puentespina. "But we want to do so much more and that is why we have the show. The idea is to make people enjoy and appreciate our natural treasures. It is a form of interactive learning. Hopefully the audience can recognize, and empathize with, the plight of the birds and will learn to truly care for our environment."

While Dr. Bo Puentespina and wife Olive have their avian project under the Malagos Wildlife Preservation Foundation, other members of his family have each embraced a conservation project as well. His mother Charita and brother Rex work with Philippine orchids, especially the waling waling (vanda sanderiana); eldest brother Angel and wife Arlene work with butterflies and tropical plants; and brother Ed, wife Liesl and good friend Mulawin work on marine preservation.

"Perhaps this is because we are deeply anchored to the soil," is Dr. Puentespina’s explanation for his family’s strong affinity to nature. "Our origins are deeply rooted in agriculture so we feel close to nature. ‘Malagos’ is the name of a place and a creek where the current is strong. Malakas ang agos. Our inclination towards nature conservation started with my father’s vision in water management. Malagos creek will eventually find its way to Davao River and to the city. Malagos is water, and water is life. In the same way, we hope that the stream for environmental concern gathers speed even in the big cities."

The Malagos Gardens’ Amazing Bird Show featuring more than 200 bird performers is ongoing at the Ampitheater area, Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center in Quezon City until Jan. 29. Show times are at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Tickets cost P200 for adults, P180 for students and P160 for senior citizens. By booking your school or company to watch the bird show; by becoming one of Malagos Interactive Bird Show’s corporate sponsors; or by becoming a conservation partner to the Adopt-a-Bird Initiative, you can help institute long-term change and ensure the survival of our wildlife and forests in all their beauty and diversity.

For inquiries, call 929-9310 or log on to www.malagos.com.