Philippine Gov’t Urged To Adopt Animals Affected By Australian Bushfire

Davao Oriental Second District Representative Joel May Almario said the Philippine government under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte should consider adopting the affected animals from the destructive Australian wildfires.

“Since time immemorial, the Philippines have offered asylum to various refugees fleeing from wars. This time, the Philippine Government should also consider providing sanctuary to the affected animals most of whom are feared of being endangered from extinction,” Almario said in a statement.

The ongoing Australian wildfires have reportedly affected almost a billion animals, endangering their lives and their habitat.

An estimated half billion have already died as a result of the natural catastrophe.

“These animals have nowhere to go and their original habitat has been destroyed by the fires,” Almario pointed out.

The Mindanaoan solon said the Philippines’ tropical climate would be able to help the animals transition into their potential new home.

“With the tropical climate, the animals can find refuge in the islands. The tropical climate is the perfect sanctuary or the second home for the affected animals,” he said.

But how exactly could the government go about creating a sanctuary for the Australian fauna? Almario said the government can make another Calauit Safari Park somewhere in Mindanao.

“By doing so, we save the animals in Australia which are dying right now from heat, starvation, dehydration, pollution, and loss of habitat, and at the same time, create an education center for Filipinos for the care of animals and nature,” he said.

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The 3,400-hectare Calauit Safari Park in Calauit Island, Busuanga, Palawan was established on August 31 1976, via Presidential Proclamation 1578 issued by then-President Ferdinand Marcos — it declared Calauit a national reserve.

The park is a wildlife sanctuary in the Philippines that was originally created as a game reserve featuring large African mammals.

It managed to preserve a number of species namely the reticulated giraffe, Grévy’s zebra, elan, waterbuck, and bushbuck.

Some local endangered species found that can be found at the Safari Park are the Calamian deer, Palawan bearded pig, Philippine crocodile, Philippine porcupine, Binturong, and the Philippine mouse-deer.

Source: MB