Luisa Paula A. Lioanag

Geography 1

2009-29566

Manila Zoo, NAPW, La Mesa Eco Park Where the Wild Things Are

The Philippines, an archipelagic country with its unique location, is teeming with innumerable flora and fauna, and is one of the ten most biologically mega-diverse countries in the world. It is also, unfortunately, considered a biodiversity hotspot, that is to say, while it is amazingly diverse, it is also constantly under threat. A means of hampering this threat to biodiversity is the maintenance of habitats (both natural and artificial) for the flora and fauna that are particularly vulnerable. Vulnerable Wildlife Where better to start in identifying the species threatened by human activity and habitat loss than with a national symbol? It is unfortunate that while we look up to the Philippine Eagle (PW) as a source of pride, it being endemic to the Philippines, much is left to be desired with conservation and breeding efforts to lower its current status in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)’s Red List. Together with it, under Critically Endangered and also endemic, is the Philippine Crocodile (MZ). Another animal kept in the Manila Zoo is the Bengal Tiger, and it is currently considered Endangered. On an even lower level of concern, considered as vulnerable is another endemic bird, the Philippine Hawk-Eagle (MZ, PW). In the same classification as the Hawk-Eagle, is our own Philippine Deer (MZ) and Palawan Porcupine (MZ). For plants on the other hand, the Big Leaf Mahogany (PW, EP) is recognized as a Vulnerable species of hardwood, together with the Fire Tree (Delonix regia) (PW) and the recognized Philippine National tree, Narra (MZ, PW). Unfortunately, among the plants, shrubs and trees that I have encountered in my visits to the following places, these three were the only ones identified as threatened by deforestation and preference for another hardwood. The others were either common enough to be considered of the Least Concern or have yet to be listed and identified so as to be categorized under the correct Red List status. These are the Palosanto, Banaba, Molave, Acacia, Suha, Rain Tree, Kaatoan Bangkal, Fish Tail, Zapote Negro, Kaymito, and Yemano. Manila Zoo As someone who lives in the suburbs adjacent to NCR, it’s almost impossible to escape a field trip with Manila Zoo in the itinerary. True enough, I’ve been there twice as a

young child and I was always fascinated with how some of the animals were bigger than me. I had enjoyed going around the zoo then, trying to rank the animals according to how much they were ferocious or cuddly-looking than trying to digest the information in the identifier plaques. In retrospect, it’s a shame that I hadn’t, as, during my most recent visit, some of these informative plaques are already defaced and much of the Manila Zoo’s infrastructures have fallen to neglect. Located at Adriatico St., corner Quirino St. in Manila, the 5.5 hectares of artificial habitat features pond enclosures, aviaries and a few corrals and hutches to house around 106 species of animals. The cages, especially the large ones housing tigers, are outfitted with man-made caves, cliff-faces, vegetation and small water pools, in an attempt to recreate a more natural environment, as compared to other large cages (like the elephant’s, for instance which is relatively bare except for the water pools). The zoo, of course, provides a parking area for the vehicles of visitors, as it requires them to go around the place on foot, despite being outfitted with roads wide enough to accommodate cars. In wanting to cater to all kinds of visitors, the Manila Zoo is also equipped with attractions for entertainment like boat rentals and a pen for horse-back riding. As it is found in the country’s capital, it is highly affected by the high urbanization of its location. Even with the generous cover provided by its trees, the air remains to be noticeably polluted and this is aggravated by certain areas in the zoo where maintenance is not so regular and the smell of animal droppings still clung to their respective steel confinements. Although the facilities are currently undergoing renovation, I find that the zoo’s infrastructures have seriously deteriorated. I also saw little effort from caretakers and s to apprehend litterers and unruly visitors who violate zoo guidelines. Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Easily accessible for people who live in and near Quezon City, it is a wonder that I’ve only visited this nature haven for only two times before my most recent visit. Once, during a family outing and another, for a company party that was held in the Bulwagang Ninoy Visitor Center. Straddling Quezon Ave. and North Ave. in Quezon City, the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Nature Center is 64.58 hectares of land reserved as a nature park housing a number of animals, from birds to reptiles and also mammals. A wildlife rescue center is located in the park, where DENR’s Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB) temporarily houses and rehabilitates wildlife it has confiscated from illegal owners. It has a couple of aviaries and cages for small to average-sized animals that are significantly bigger than those in Manila

Zoo, and fashioned with . The park is also outfitted with a circuitous road following the perimeter of the lagoon area and connecting its two entrance gates. Though also located in a bustling city, there is a stark difference between the aforementioned Manila Zoo and the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Nature Center. For one, owing perhaps to the less number of cages to maintain, the animals in the Parks and Wildlife seem better taken care of. A larger area also means a larger coverage of flora, and the air is fresher compared to that in Manila, encouraging a lot of visitors for leisurely picnicking. While Manila Zoo also has a lot of visitors, litter is significantly less in number in Parks & Wildlife. This may be due to the fact that there are no ambulant vendors and inside the park, as compared to the zoo, where they frequent high-traffic areas like the aviaries and tiger enclosures. Parks & Wildlife picnickers seem to bring food they’ve prepared beforehand since there is virtually no food stalls inside the the park. Using their own packages discourage them from leaving wrappers and other waste. This is not the case for Manila Zoo where, aside from the ambulant vendors, they allowed food stalls to setup near the zoo’s entrance. La Mesa Eco Park Largest at 33 hectares, the La Mesa Eco Park is truly a paradise in the city. Just upon ing through the vine-covered bridge connecting Dunhill St. to the park proper, the change of air is immediately noticeable. This is, however not only due to the plants and trees found in the Eco Park itself, but also the hundreds upon hundreds of trees that are being protected in the 2700 hectare La Mesa Watershed. What makes the Eco Park so precious is that it was renovated and transformed to what it is today by the La Mesa Watershed Project, Bantay Kalikasan, MWSS and the Quezon City government so as to sustain the efforts being done to protect the Watershed. In line with this, aside from asking for an entrance fee from visitors, the Eco Park was equipped with numerous facilities for recreation and nature appreciation. First to be noticed by incoming engers is the Eco Park Adventure Zone, which features exciting team building facilities and activities like rapelling, zipline, paintball and wall climbing. To the immediate right is the boating lagoon and pavilion, where one can rent a boat and have a good look at a part of the reservoir wall. Further to the right is the entrance to the picnic grounds, from which one could access the flower terraces, nature trail, orchidarium, the amphitheater fashioned from the Banawe Rice Terraces and a mini forest. This part of the Eco Park, though quite as busy with human activity as the Manila Zoo given the number of kiosks, cabannas and people, still retains a different, more natural feel as compared to Manila Zoo.

As it is dedicated to conserving plant life, the La Mesa Eco Park holds no particular collection of animals to be placed in cages. The nearest thing one could get to enclosures would be the fishing ponds and pens for tour horses, as well as domesticated ducks and geese that visitors may interact with. This helps significantly in establishing that the Eco Park is a nature reserve than an enclosure. Without the huge iron cages, humans are free to commune with nature, however limited it may be inside the park.

Species Profile

Flora

Common Name

Details

Kalumpit

Terminalia microcarpa, Philippines

Zapote Negro

Diospyros digyna, Central American region

Fish Tail

Caryota rumphiana, South East Asia

Kaatoan Bangkal

Anthocephalus chinensis, South East Asia

Kupang

Parkia timorania, Philippines

Flora

Common Name Molave

Fauna

Common Name

Details V. parviflora and another related species, V. cofassus, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines

Details

Palawan Porcupine

Hystrix pumila, Philippines (specifically Palawan), Vulnerable

Philippine Eagle

Pithecophaga jefferyi, Philippines, Critically Endangered

Philippine Serpent Eagle

Spilornis holospilus, Philippines (except Palawan), Least Concern

Philippine Hawk Eagle

Nisaetus philippensis, Philippines, Vulnerable

Fauna

Common Name

Details

Philippine Scops Owl

Otus megalotis, Philippines, Least Concern

Philippine Deer

Rusa marianna, Philippines (introduced to Guam), Vulnerable

Appendix

Fig. A - Luzon Bleeding-heart (Gallicolumba luzonica), Near threatened, Manila Zoo Fig. B - One of the information plaques from the Manila Zoo ➡

Fig. C - White-bellied Sea Eagle held in the Ninoy Aquino Parks & Wildlife aviary Fig. D - An project in Parks & Wildlife ➡

Fig. E - Trees surrounding the fishing pond, all without identifiers¹ Fig. F - Big-leaf Mahogany ➡

¹ Trees located outside the picnic grounds seem to be the only ones with identifiers