The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, through its Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB), will lead the Philippine celebration of the 2022 World Wildlife Day (WWD) with the theme, “Recovering key species for ecosystem restoration.”
DENR OIC Secretary Jim O. Sampulna said this year’s WWD celebration “seeks to draw attention on the state of the most critically endangered species of wild flora and fauna, their role in the ecosystem, and the importance of conservation efforts to save them.”
He said the event also “aims to drive the discussion towards imagining and implementing new solutions to conserve and sustainably use wildlife.”
In keeping with this year’s theme, the DENR will be hosting a webinar to showcase the country’s conservation efforts on key species such as the rufous hornbill (Buceros hydrocorax), tamaraw (Bubalus mindorensis), Philippine cockatoo (Cacatua haematuropygia), and dugong (Dugong dugon), and other threatened species.
A webinar on conservation programs will also be conducted to drive discussions toward implementing better conservation programs with more resilient impacts.
The DENR-BMB will lead the “Make Your Own Storybook” contest in recognition of the role of youth in biodiversity conservation efforts.
The contest is open to all Filipino youth, 15 to 20 years old, who wish to contribute to the growing library of inspirational stories for the protection of wildlife and biodiversity.
BMB OIC Director Natividad Y. Bernardino said that currently, the Philippines has “more than 1,000 species of plants and animals listed as threatened species.”
“Wildlife law enforcement, protection and management of wildlife habitats and species conservation programs are being implemented to protect and recover these threatened species,” Bernardino said.
The population of key Philippine species, for example, the tamaraw and Philippine cockatoo have been showing a steady uptrend mainly due to the collective efforts of the DENR and its conservation partners, conservation organizations, local government units and the private sector.
Celebrated every 3rd of March, WWD is an annual event aimed at raising awareness about the world’s wild animals and plants, the threats to their survival, and their benefits to people and the planet.
Since being adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2013, it has become the most important annual event dedicated to wildlife.
March 3 also marks the signing of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora or CITES in 1973. ###
