Biologist dies on trek to study Mount Apo fauna
NORTH COTABATO, Philippines — The police are convinced a wildlife biologist who died Sunday while climbing the peak of Mount Apo had a health problem that led to his death.
Superintendent Aldrin Gonzalez, spokesman of Police Regional Office-12, said Monday that 27-year-old James de Villa Alvarez, a graduate of the University of the Philippines in Los Baños, reportedly got nauseated first and complained of shortness of breathing before he passed out.
Alvarez was to study endemic species in densely forested spots in Mount Apo, the country’s highest peak.
Gonzalez said a responding government rescue team immediately brought Alvarez's remains to a private mortuary in Kidapawan City
He said said police have received reports that Alvarez's trek to Mount Apo was coordinated with the Joey Recimilla, tourism officer of Kidapawan City.
Kidapawan City, located at the foot of Mount Apo, is the capital of North Cotabato.
Personnel of the Kidapawan City police are certain Alvarez died of "cardiac arrest," triggered by his strenuous climb to a high spot at one side of Mount Apo.
Gonzalez said the PRO-12 will help facilitate an autopsy if the family of Alvarez shall ask for it.
- Latest
- Trending
