Lu-Ann and I went to the U.P. Police headquarters yesterday (Nov. 14, Friday) to give our statement on the bittern killing upon the invitation of Vice Chancellor Nestor Castro and UP Chief Security Officer John Beroña. After narrating to Captain Ruben Villaluna and two of this men what we directly observed during the incident, we discussed several issues, including the challenges that U.P. faces in making the campus safe for people and wildlife. First, regarding the open carrying of knives and other deadly weapon (one of the three suspects was pictured holding a long knife): We were told this is no doubt prohibited in the campus as a matter of public safety. Second, U.P. Police discourages foraging and does everything it can to stop people from wading in the lagoon and taking items. The flora and fauna in the lagoon are U.P. property and should be left alone for everyone to enjoy. The police acknowledged, however, that they need the U.P. communitys help regarding this. The campus is so big that they cannot possibly see everything that happens. The lagoon is just a tiny portion of the area that they need to protect so they expressed that it would be good if members of the public report to them incidents like what happened on Nov. 9. They have a Facebook page which can be of help: UP Diliman Police. Please use this community page wisely. Capt. Villaluna told us that foraging happens even at night, with people using flashlights. This, of course, disturbs birds that take shelter in the lagoon at nighttime. The bright light can stun them, making them easier to catch. Third, they have also stated the need to educate residents of the surrounding areas about the Wildlife Act, especially about the part that harming and killing animals is prohibited. This protection is not just for protected or endangered animals, but for all animals. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources should help them regarding this. Lu-Ann also hoped that this might lead to a program where those who used to forage or hunt in the campus can co-create along with concerned groups alternative means that also make them the first to testify for conservation. We want to express our appreciation to Capt. Ruben Villaluna and his men, Atty. John Beroña and Vice Chancellor Nestor Castro. Thank you for your patience and understanding. In all the excitement, I forgot to report here that the female Common Kingfisher was still there last Sunday. She was hiding under thick foliage (smart girl!). In fact, she was the reason Lu-Ann and I stopped at the spot we did and were able to witness the bittern killing. We saw no trace of the mother White-breasted Waterhen and her chicks, however. This was the third consecutive weekend that we did not see this family. The floating vegetation in the lagoon was their sole shelter, and people wading in the water to forage must have either driven them away, or worse. Its a pity because the chicks were becoming less wary of people and more people would have been able to enjoy seeing them and their mother playing among the lily pads. Preserving the lagoons flora and fauna is for everyones benefit, especially the children of poor families, who cannot afford to visit parks in other cities abroad where animals have become less wary, precisely because they are not harmed by people. Josefina De Leon Jelaine Gan Gina Squillantini Mapua Art Fuentes Mike Lu Anna Maria M. Gonzales Carmela P. Española Jon Villasper Ternel Telesforo Cristina R. Cinco Willem Van de Ven Maia Lorlina Tañedo Kitty Arce Ruben Canlas Jr.Ruben CarranzaAriel Rodelas Penaranda
Posted on: Sat, 15 Nov 2014 01:17:05 +0000
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