Unprotected

At least two developments have set back efforts to protect the endangered animals in our midst—the killing of the Philippine eagle “Minalwang” and the discovery of over 200 dead marine turtles in the hold of a Vietnamese fishing vessel. These are both alarming violations of the law and travesties committed in Philippine territory.

Among the largest birds of prey in the world, the Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) is a part of our national patrimony and a biological treasure that maintains the fragile ecological balance in our dwindling rainforests. Much effort is taken to preserve its population. The bird named Minalwang had been rescued after being wounded in the wild in Claveria, Misamis Oriental. After two years of rehabilitation in captivity at the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) in Davao, it was released into the forest of Ginoog City last Aug. 15. But according to a report from the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB), the eagle was subsequently captured by locals while it was “attacking” a pet dog; the locals were said to have released it the next day. Tragically, the eagle’s carcass was found on Oct. 11. It apparently died from an infection caused by a bullet wound in the thigh. “This is another blow for us, especially for our conservation program where we have been trying so hard to perpetuate the existence of our haring  ibon  (king of the birds),” PAWB Director Theresa Mundita Lim said in a statement.

The killing of the eagle is particularly unfortunate considering the ardent efforts of conservationists, especially the PEF, to protect what’s left of the eagle population and propagate the breed. It is estimated that only 500 pairs of Philippine eagles remain in the wild. The PEF and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources have less than 50 birds in custody for propagation or rehabilitation. To illustrate the depth of ignorance concerning the endangered state of the Philippine eagle, a farmer was found to have shot and eaten an eagle in 2008. He got off in 2012 with a fine, to the dismay of conservationists.

Clearly, education of the populace is imperative.

Republic Act No. 9417, or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, was signed into law in 2001 by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. The law says that the state shall “conserve and protect wildlife species and their habitats to promote ecological balance and enhance biological diversity,” and lengthily states the penalties for violators. It’s all there in black and white, but authorities have had much difficulty in enforcement. Just last July, after the death of a tarsier found clinging to a tree branch at the Manila Golf and Country Club in Makati City, Environment Secretary Ramon Paje called on the public not to take wild animals from their natural habitats. “If we want our children to see our precious wildlife species alive, let us leave them alone in the wilds where they belong,” Paje said.

Enforcement of the law is critical as well in the case of endangered marine creatures. Last week, 13 Vietnamese nationals were arrested in Balabac, southern Palawan, when authorities discovered in their fishing vessel the remains of anything from 200 to 300 dead marine turtles. Not only Vietnamese but also Chinese fishermen have been caught making off with all sorts of endangered species taken from our waters. In 2012, P10 million worth of slaughtered and sun-dried endangered marine animals were seized by the Bureau of Customs in the cargo of a ship at the Manila North Harbor. Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon noted the attempted smuggling from the country of “highly valuable marine products considered endangered species by the government, particularly manta rays.” Last April, 12 Chinese nationals were arrested for poaching at the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park after a search of their vessel revealed a large cargo of frozen pangolin meat. The pangolin is considered an endangered species in the Philippines and elsewhere. Have all these marauders been punished and made to pay for their crimes?

Education and enforcement. It’s time Filipinos, both ordinary citizens and authorities, realized the importance of protecting our endangered species and made a concerted effort to apprehend and punish those who hunt and kill them, or make big money off them. For how long will our natural treasures remain unprotected, pushed to the brink of extinction by ignorance, indifference, and greed?