THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) mobilized field personnel under “Oplan Ligtas Kalikasan” to rescue wildlife species that have come under threat by the eruption on January 12 of Taal Volcano in Batangas province, this, on top of other initiatives of private groups and organizations to rescue horses, pigs, goats, cows, cats, dogs and other domestic animals.
Environment Undersecretary Benny D. Antiporda, deputy spokesman of Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu, said a lot of endangered species, like hornbills, have fled the volcanic island in Taal and may eventually be “captured” as they move to temporary homes outside their habitats. “We are now getting to give refuge to these animals,” says Antiporda.
In an interview, Environment Assistant Secretary and concurrent Biodiversity Management Bureau Director Ricardo Calderon said field personnel of the BMB from Manila and Region 4A have been mobilized.
“In fact, our BMB [office] in the region has already rescued a hornbill,” he said.
Calderon, a former director of the Forest Management Bureau (FMB), said volcanic eruption has the potential to cause severe damage to surrounding ecosystems. Important ecosystems, like forests, lakes, rivers and caves, can be completely destroyed.
“This results in total displacement. Naturally, we expect some wildlife to perish but it will be the survival of the fittest as always, and we hope to rescue them when they are able to escape the island,” Calderon said. Taal Volcano, the world’s smallest volcano, is in the heart of the Taal Volcano Protected Landscape. It is known as home to a diverse range of wild flora and fauna. The lake surrounding the volcanic island where Taal is situated is, itself, a unique ecosystem known for the endangered tawilis, the only one-of-its kind freshwater sardines.
According to Calderon, the BMB and DENR Region 4B offices have been doing the rounds to inform residents around Taal Lake not to harm injured wildlife who may eventually seek refuge in nearby communities. “Those rescued will be brought to the DENR’s Ninoy Aquino Park and Wildlife Rescue Center in Quezon City because rescue centers in Batangas or Cavite are sure to be affected by the volcanic eruption,” he said.
He said the DENR-BMB is now prepared to receive rescued wildlife from areas affected by the eruption of the volcano.
“Fortunately, the Ninoy Aquino Park and Wildlife Rescue Center is ready to accommodate rescued animals,” he said.
According to Calderon, the impact of the volcanic eruption will be very devastating, and it will take years for the Taal Volcano Protected Landscape to recover. He cited the case of Mount Pinatubo, which took more than a decade before the forest fully regenerated. That was also the time when wildlife started to come back to the surrounding area. “It will definitely take time. We expect vegetation to go dry, and this can also trigger forest fire which will aggravate the situation,” he added.