West Visayas species most endangered

BY CARLA GOMEZ

The head of one of Europe’s largest zoos was in Negros Occidental Saturday to explore more ways of working in partnership with the Negros Forest and Ecological Foundation Inc. and other conservation groups in the Philippines.

Prof. Gordon McGregor-Reid, CEO of the North of England Zoological Society, receives a plaque of appreciation for his invaluable support and contribution to the conservation of biodiversity in Negros from Gov. Isidro Zayco, represented by Boyet Uychiat. Looking on are (left) NFEFI president Paul Lizares and (r) William Oliver, director, Philippines Biodiversity Conservation Foundation Inc.*

Prof. Gordon McGregor-Reid, chief executive officer of the North of England Zoological Society that operates Chester Zoo, said his group supports conservation work in the West Visayas region, including that of NFEFI.

There are more seriously threatened species from the West Visayas that the rest of the Philippines put together, William Oliver, director of the Philippine Biodiversity Conservation Foundation Inc, said.

(l-r) Philippines Biodiversity Conservation Foundation Inc (PCFI) director William Oliver; CEO the North of England Zoological Society Prof. Gordon McGregor-Reid; NFEFI Trustees Buddy Montinola; Teddyboy Infante, Joey Solinap; Robert Harland (back row). Mimie Ledesma, PBCFI, NFEFI curator Dr. Joanne Justo; NFEFI president Paul Lizares; Rai Gomez (PBCFI) (front row).*

The endangered spotted deer is the flagship species for the entire region, he added.

NFEFI is one of the most important local implementing partners in the conservation effort, he said.

McGregor-Reid said Chester Zoo is an international charitable trust with programs all over the world.

The zoo’s mission is “to be a major force in conserving biodiversity worldwide” so from the money it earns from people coming to see its animals, including some from the Philippines, it uses the funds for animal related causes, he said.

That is why it has gotten involved in conservation work in the Philippines, he said. Our partnership with local groups in conservation work is very nice for us because we learn more about the animals we are looking after in the UK if we know more about their field biology, and we would like them to survive into the future, he said.

We like to support educational work as well pure conservation work, McGregor-Reid said.

McGregor-Reid said he came to the Philippines to see the conservation work being done with the view continue support and building up partnership.

They have been working with Filipinos for about 12 years and it was the first times he has ever seen the Visayan Warty Pigs in their indigenous surroundings, he said.

He said the NFEFI was a very well managed facility with very healthy animals, that can eventually reintroduced into the wild.

Oliver said the Philippine Biodiversity Conservation Program is eyeing the reintroducing of endangered animals raised in captivity into the wild in several areas in West Visayas, and one area being eyed is Sicogon Island.*CPG