NEWSROOM

A Song for the Birds

WWF advocates rule of law in dealing with RP game hunting

Since the earliest waves of Austronesian-speaking people crossed into the Philippines from the Bornean land bridges nearly 30,000 years ago, our kind has coexisted peacefully with birds. Their sweet songs have awoken us from our nightly naps up until a half-century ago.

Sadly, we have not always returned this kindness. Worldwide, more than 130 bird species, from the flightless Dodo of Mauritius to the gargantuan Elephant Bird of Madagascar, have been extirpated since the 16th century. Out of 10,000 surviving species, a tenth is threatened with extinction. Our country is no exception, with the Luzon Sarus Crane (Grus antigone luzonica), Ticao Tarictic Hornbill (Penelopides panini ticaensis) and many others not seen in generations.

Remarkably rich in birdlife, the Philippines still has over 600 species of resident and migratory birds. In comparison, greater North America, a country 81 times our size – has 2000. About 190 of our birds, a full third, are endemic. Habitat loss, hunting and incursions by introduced species have drastically reduced populations.

More than 200 Philippine birds are now included in the World Conservation Union's red list of critically-endangered species, including the Philippine Cockatoo (Cacatua haematuropygia), the Negros Fruit-Dove (Ptilinopus arcanus) and our national bird, the Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) – considered by some experts as the largest eagle on earth.

Birds play a key role for the environment, eating fruits and dispersing the seeds over wide tracts of land – a major factor in revitalizing forests. Similarly, some nectar-feeders such as the Philippine Olive-backed Sunbird (Nectarina jugularis) are important pollinators. Seabirds improve the ecology of small islands by producing large amounts of guano which enriches island soil – allowing less adaptable plants to root.

Thus the recent spate stirred up by several Philippine bird hunting groups comes as a great shock to conservation institutes, including the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines (WBCP), a group which has collated data on resident and migratory birds since 2003.

WWF, the global conservation organization, strongly espouses the rule of law in dealing with these hunters, under the context of protecting our natural resources. People, habitats and wildlife are interdependent – one simply cannot exist without each other. Compromising the integrity of the environment means jeopardizing the lives of people, because we depend on nature for food, water, sustenance and security. In the Philippines, nature is the backbone of local culture, economic and social development.

Says WWF Project Manager Yeb Sano, “The spirit upon which our environmental regulations were crafted reflects the critical status of our natural resources, dwindling as they are and on the verge of irreversible collapse, compromising its ability to fend for future and even this generation. Birds and all wildlife have important roles to play in the circle of life and decimating their populations would threaten the viability of all ecosystems.”

Republic Act 9147, the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, is clear in its prohibition of collection and hunting of threatened wildlife. DENR's Administrative Order 2004-15, signed by former Secretary Elisea Gozun on the 22nd of May 2004 establishes the list of threatened terrestrial wildlife species which include mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles. The same Administrative Order states that all species listed under CITES Appendices I and II are included in the prohibition.

Says Sano, “The recent exposure of groups hunting threatened species illustrates the huge chasm between policies and their implementation, as well as the great need to educate our people on crucial imperatives to protect our environment. In a democracy built on ideals of freedom symbolized by an unshackled bird, it is ironic that gun-toting groups have been able to hunt down threatened birds - deliberately violating national law.” Some of the photos show carcasses of the Philippine Mallard (Anas luzonica). With less than 10,000 remaining, the species is listed as vulnerable under the DENR and IUCN.

The penalty for killing vulnerable wildlife as stated in RA 9147 is imprisonment of two to four years and / or a fine of P30,000 – P300,000 ($750 – $7500). The law further states that unless otherwise allowed in accordance with the Act: it shall be unlawful for any person to wilfully and knowingly exploit wildlife resources and their habitats: collecting, hunting or possessing wildlife, their by-products and derivatives. Mere possession of these species, evidenced by trophy pictures posted on websites, is already punishable by law.

WWF duly respects all groups – including recreational shooting teams. However, environmental laws must be respected and wholly applied to protect what remains of our natural wealth.

Should we fail, then the day may come when bird songs are but distant memories. They have sung for us from the very beginning. Perhaps the time has come to repay them in kind.

For more information, please contact:

Yeb Sano
Project Manager, WWF-Philippines
nmsano@wwf.org.ph

Gregg Yan
Communications Officer, WWF-Philippines
920-7923/26/31, 0917-833-4734
gyan@wwf.org.ph

For more information on how to aid WWF's projects, contact:

Trin Custodio
Individual Donors Program Manager, WWF-Philippines
920-7923/26/31
tcustodio@wwf.org.ph