"We regret losing something when it is already gone," so goes a familiar saying. If the unusual disruptive threat to Philippine wildlife species continues unabated, this maxim might well prove true for the country's endangered heritage.
Wildlife refers to flora and fauna relatively undisturbed by man or away from human interference. These plants and animals range freely and grow in their own natural habitats.
(Greenviews Resorts ñ Jungle & Waterfall Wildlife Sanctuary)
Environmentalists claim wildlife contributes largely to the beautiful balance inherent in the country's natural ecosystem. Wildlife helps in controlling pests and diseases both in forest and agricultural lands. It is involved in the recycling of food and nutrients in the forests.
With more than 7,000 islands, the Philippines has one of the most unique and diverse wildlife species in the world. In fact, it is home to 8,000 species of indigenous flowering plants, 3,000 species of which are trees, belonging to 200 families and 1,500 genera.
The country also has about 4,000 species of pteridophytes, bryophytes, fungi, algae and lichens. More than 1,000 species of land vertebrate, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals inhabit the country. In addition, about 2,000 species of fish, over 3,200 species of mollusks and 400 species of corals live in Philippines.
(Pteridophytes)
(Bryophytes)
"With these biological resources lie a wealth of genetic information that holds possibly new solutions to our present problems of poverty, hunger and disease," said a report from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
The report claims that the biological specimens preserved in national parks and other protected areas are potential sources of materials for the country's chemical industries. It also noted their potential as sources of materials for improved agricultural productivity.
The country's biological resources also provide recreational opportunities, the report said. It warned, however, that most of the country's natural resources, particularly the wildlife species are on the brink of extinction.
A species is considered extinct when it is no longer found in the past 50 years. Endangered species are those that have been reduced in number to a critical level or whose habitats have been damaged or altered or reduced.
Rare species have small world populations. Usually, they are restricted to very few habitats. At present, rare species are not considered endangered but "at risk." Threatened, on the other hand, is a general term used to describe the animal or plant species which could be in the status of "endangered" and "insufficiently known."
(Philippine Mouse Deer)
Although no endemic species yet in the Philippines are reported to have been extinct, several have made it to the list of rare, threatened and endangered species compiled by the Convention for International Trade of Endangered Species (CITIES), of which the Philippines is a signatory.
On the Brink of Extinction
Mammals
(Dugong/Sea Cow)
(Mindanao Water Buffalo or Tamaraw)
(Pangolin)
(Philippine Tarsier)
(Philippine Palm Civet)
(Calamian deer)
(Fruit Bat)
Birds
(Philippine Eagle)
(Peregrine Falcon)
(Palawan Peacock Pheasant)
(Spotted Green Shank)
(Pygmy Curlew)
(Nicobar Pigeon)
(Bleeding Heart Pigeon)
(All species of Parrots)
(Koch's Pitta)
(All species of Owls)
(Giant Scops-Owl)
(Hornbills)
(Eastern Sarus Crane)
Reptiles
(Green Sea Turtle)
(Hawksbill Sea Turtle)
(Loggerhead Sea Turtle)
(Olive Ridley Sea Turtle)
(Leatherback Turtle)
(Philippine Estuarine Crocodile)
(Philippine Sailfin Lizard)
(Python)
Plants
(Sander's Alocasia)
(Striped Alocasia)
(Pitcher Plant)
(Vanda merrillii Orchids)
(Bungang Ipot)
(Lady's Slipper/Pitogo)
(All species of Ferns)
(Cactus)
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Source Reference:
www.denr.gov.ph/
www.philstar.com/
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