Draft

Why is the Philippines referred to as a megadiversity hotspot?
It is considered to be a mega – diversity country because of the exceptional diversity in ecosystems, species and
genetic resources found within its 7,100 island territory. Philippines is known to be a home to 52,177 described
species of which 50% or more are believed to be endemic.
What Is Wildlife and Why Is It Important?
Wild animals refer to all animals that aren’t domesticated. You can find
wild animals in every country in the world and also on every continent.
From lions and tigers to hawks and butterflies, there’s a huge variety of
wildlife.
The term wildlife can also be applied to any organism that grows or
lives wild in an area without being introduced by humans. Thus,
wildlife includes not only animals, but also plants, fungi, and
microorganisms that live in their natural environment undisturbed
by humans.
Wildlife exists all over the world: almost one-third of the Earth’s land
area is covered by forests; these provide habitat for much of the world’s
wildlife.
Wildlife is an important part of our natural heritage because they play an
important role in maintaining healthy ecosystems and provide many
boons to humans, such as food, scientific research opportunities, and
esthetics.
Wildlife in the Philippines
• Headlining the list of endemic animals that may be extinct in the very near future is the Philippines’
national bird, the Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi). With its signature bushy crest and
distinct white/brown feather pattern, it is classified as one of the largest eagle species in the world.
• The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classified the animal as “critically
endangered” in 1994. It is said to primarily reside in the Mindanao area, although sightings in
eastern Luzon, Samar, and Leyte have been reported.
• For the last 56 years, the IUCN stressed a tremendous decline in the Philippine eagle population.
Estimates point to only 180 Philippine eagles left in the wild, a number that continues to decline
with each year.
• Aside from deforestation and fragmentation due to logging and timber extraction, hunting is also a
major cause for this, especially since juvenile birds are easily shot or trapped.
• The Philippine freshwater crocodile is currently safeguarded by Republic Act 9147, which imposes a
minumum of six years of imprisonment and a Php 100,000 fine to anyone caught executing these
endangered animals.
Philippine Freshwater Crocodile
• Another notable and rapidly declining endemic species is the Philippine
freshwater crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis). Smaller than many other species,
this crocodile only grows up to five feet in length. It has been listed by the IUCN
as critically endangered since 1996.
• Currently, the species can only be found in localities in the country (Dalupiri
island, Ligawasan marsh, and Lake Sebu), occupying only a meager area of about
2,000 square kilometers. The IUCN estimated a population decline of between
85% to 94% over the past 75 years. At present, there are only 200 adults in the
wild.
• Among the most noteworthy threats to this aquatic reptile are the expansion of
areas inhabited by rural folk, possible entanglement in nets during fishing
activities, and the purposeful persecution of the species.
Tamaraw
• One of the most easily recognizable endemic animals in the
Philippines is the tamaraw (Bubalus mindorensis), due to its distinct V-
shaped horn configuration. It thrives on the island of Mindoro, where
it used to occupy the entire island’s grasslands, bamboo jungles, river
valleys, and mid-elevation forests.
• Due to agricultural development efforts that significantly reduced the
size of their habitat, the species was confined to the inner portions of
the island, effectively shrinking the population to less than 250
individuals. At present, they are threatened by their inability to
spread and disperse to untapped lands due to human interference.
Other species in grave danger
• Aside from the three examples mentioned, another species in danger of extinction is the kalaw or
Visayan wrinkled hornbill (Rhabdotorrhinus waldeni), which can be found in Panay and Negros.
The IUCN has classified it as critically endangered, with only two thousand estimated to be left in
the wild due to chronic deforestation.
• Negros and Panay also host another threatened species: the Negros Bleeding-heart (Gallicolumba
keayi), which bears a trademark line of red feathers along its throat and breast. It has been listed
as critically endangered since 1994, with roughly 50-250 individuals left in the wild.
• The aforementioned taklobo, which is classified as an endangered species, has been illegal to hunt
since 2001, as per the Fisheries Administrative Order 208. Reports of
Chinese vessels harvesting our giant clams from Scarborough shoal are disturbing, to say the least,
and demand swift and stern action.
• Other species in critical danger include the Philippine Cockatoo (Cacatua haematuropygia), the
Palawan forest turtle (Siebenrockiella leytensis), and the Cebu flowerpecker (Dicaeum
quadricolor), among countless others.
What now?
The animals above are merely a handful of the 700 threatened species
in the Philippines. Current conservation efforts can only do so much;
the next generation must be inculcated with concern for Philippine
wildlife and a mindset geared towards the active preservation of these
species.

Draft

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Draft

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Draft

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Why is the Philippines referred to as a megadiversity hotspot?

You might also like