William the Whale Shark for AteneoBOx

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William the Whale Shark (Ateneo BOx) web

Here is a butanding fashionista SPOTTED, with a SPLASH of color!

William the Whale Shark is the mascot of AteneoBOx, a student organization that supports biodiversity awareness and animal welfare.

Their Ocean’s Week campaign involves community engagement between Ateneo students, faculty, and Bantay Dagat communities in Calatagan, Batangas. In our collaboration two “whale pun” illustrations were made as printable greeting cards.

The first card features William the Whale Shark hugging (or squeezing) a fellow fishy friend, here portrayed as a remora fish species. Remoras are typically found stuck on the sides of whale sharks in photos, as well as in photos of other large species in the ocean. Remoras are like the ocean’s “hitchhikers”: they enjoy free rides on the large sea animals!

Time with you is always worthWHALE pun for AteneoBOx - William the Whale Shark - web

The next illustration features William dressing up, as a fellow friend of the sea (or SEA-tizen) gives William a compliment on what they are wearing. William is just “WHALE-dressed” they exclaim!

WHALEdressed pun for AteneoBOx - William the Whale Shark - web

AteneoBOx’s Ocean Week focused on activities that raised awareness on mangrove conservation based in Calatagan in Batangas. They worked with the Calatagan Reef Patrollers, and even invited children in fun environment-related activities. Kits that included free coloring pages made here on Philippine Wildlife Art were also given to the children.

Bakawan storytelling organized by students of AteneoBOx

Jessie Fronda Delos Reyes, the founder of the Calatagan Reef Patrollers, was also invited to share more about Calatagan and how they’ve been conserving the marine ecosystems there.

Jessie Fronda Delos Reyes, the founder of the Calatagan Reef Patrollers speaks during Oceans Week

Support ateneobox and the Calatagan Reef Patrollers Volunteers for their Ocean’s Week, and beyond!

More links

4th International Summit on Grey-faced Buzzard & Migratory Raptors

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Sawi to Sanchez Mira - Grey-faced buzzard illustration - web

Join Sawi the Grey-faced buzzard for an event as unique and special as raptor bird migration!

Sanchez Mira, a town located at the northern coast of the island of Luzon in the province of Cagayan, is an important part of the Sawi or Grey-faced Buzzard‘s Flyway Corridor. This year, 2024, Sanchez Mira will be hosting the 4th edition of the International Summit on Grey-faced Buzzard and Migratory Raptors. 

This event aims to highlight the critical role of Sanchez Mira and the Philippines in the conservation of the Grey-faced Buzzard and other vulnerable and endangered species of raptors in the region.

The summit includes short lectures and messages, cultural performances, field trips, a souvenir bazaar, communal events, and more!

  • Where: Sanchez Mira, Cagayan
  • When: March 23-25, 2024

Join Sawi and register today with the Google form here!

Learn more from fellow raptor-lovers below:

Rafflesia bulbasaurs!

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Rafflesia bulbasaur

Is this a new species… of Pokemon? There are 15 species of Rafflesia flowers in the Philippines. The Bulbasaur is a “species” of Pokemon, one of over 1,000 species in the popular Japanese media franchise.

At Philippine Wildlife Art, there is a Bulbasaur for every Philippine Rafflesia species: Rafflesaurs!

Rafflesaur consueloae Bulbasaur

Rafflesia consueloe bulbasaur

This species is Rafflesaur consueloae, which is a result of a Bulbasaur born on Mt. Balukbok in Nueva Ecija: the only place in the world where Rafflesia consueloae flowers have been found (Galindon et al., 2016).

Scientists have long known that tetrastigma vines in the forest are the only hosts of Rafflesia flowers. Rafflesia like R. consueloae grow inside these vines and eventually reveal their blooming flowers. They are “parasitic” or dependent on tetrastigma vines for survival, but they also depend on pollinators like flies to reproduce.

It was recently discovered that Bulbasaurs are a “host Pokemon” for Rafflesia flowers (Philippine Wildlife Art 2023). Not much is known about their symbiotic relationship, because not many scientists are Pokemon experts yet.

Though the Pokemon Vileplume is known to be a rafflesia-inspired species, the Rafflesaur is the only species known to exist in the forests of the Philippines. We must protect our forests, so that we can gather more information about our elusive Philippine Rafflesaurs!

Rafflesia leonardi Bulbasaur

Rafflesia leonardi bulbasaur

This Rafflesaur is a special one, as it is dedicated to the late Dr. Leonard Co, whom it is named after.

Dr. Co knew so much about plants that a digital library was made in his honor. Today, philippineplants.org features photos from almost half of all Philippine plant species. And there are an estimated 10,000 species native to the country!

On November 15, 2010, he was killed in a supposed crossfire in the forests he lived and worked to protect.

Rafflesaur leonardi is a beautiful Rafflesaur, known for its intelligence, observant behavior, and tendency to pass on knowledge to other Rafflesaurs! It was discovered by Agta community member Sumper Aresta.

Learn more about Dr. Leonard Co at bit.ly/leonardco

Rafflesia baletei Bulbasaur

Rafflesia baletei bulbasaur

Say hello to Rafflesaur baletei! Named after the late mammalogist Danilo Balete, R. baletei likes frolicking on rocky slopes!

It is a small Rafflesaur, similar in size to R. manillana (which you will meet soon), but it prefers to bloom from the roots of Tetrastigma vines. R. manillana is not as shy, blooming higher above the ground for all to see (Barcelona et al 2006).

Rafflesia lobata Bulbasaur

Rafflesia Lobata with Baybayin

Say hello to Rafflesaur lobata! It is named after the unique-looking rafflesia flower on its back: Rafflesia lobata.

Unlike most Rafflesia flowers, R. lobata has a diaphragm at its center that is lobed, or open with flaps. This rafflesaur likes to think it gives it wings, like its pollinator the fly!

Stay tuned for more Rafflesaurs to be added here!

Meanwhile download free printable art of these Rafflesaurs in the Gumroad shop.

Hornbills of the Philippines with Philippine scripts (i.e Baybayin)

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How many hornbill species are in the Philippines? There are 10*! 

They are named after their horn-shaped bills, typically with a casque on top.

7 of the 10 PH hornbills are threatened*, and two of them are among the most endangered hornbills in the world. One of them is the Dulungan 🙁

Philippine scripts featured in the graphic above are Tagbanwa, Hanunoo, Badlit, and Baybayin. Local names are from JC Gonzalez’s “Enumerating the Ethno-ornithological importance of Philippine hornbills“, published in 2011.

Which hornbills live on your island, and what is being done to protect them, their habitat, and the natural resources you share with them?

The province of Antique in Panay declared August as Dulungan Month since 2020. Support organizations such as @philincon and @goharibon to help conserve Dulungan and the forests we share with them. Dulungan is known internationally as the Rufous-headed Hornbill (𝘙𝘩𝘢𝘣𝘥𝘰𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘪).

*IUCN Red List data 2023. The Philippine Red List includes the Samar hornbill, bringing the number to 11.

Zoom event: Marine megafauna with Jessica Labaja of LAMAVE

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Take a dive with fish of all sizes, while staying dry! All you need is SEA-gnal!

Jessica Labaja swims with fish big and small, and works with fishers to understand the fish we all love and enjoy. She is Executive Director of Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute Philippines. They are dedicated to the conservation of marine megafauna and their environment in the Philippines and the Southeast Asia region.

Gubataan (gubat + kabataan) is a program that teaches young Filipinos how to be catalysts for change through lessons in nature. Organized by Ashoka Philippines and Ecology of Changemaking.

Join the session online, under or over the water, Thursday, Dec 21, 5pm to 6pm PH time. Register via Zoom: http://bit.ly/GBonfire6

National Scientist Dr. Angel C. Alcala

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Dr Angel C Alcala

Yesterday National Scientist Dr. Angel C. Alcala passed away after living a life dedicated to conservation. From ridge to reef, from fish to… frogs!

Born on March 1, 1929 in Negros Occidental he eventually became a prominent marine researcher at Silliman University. There he helped establish community-led marine reserves in nearby Apo Island. It was then that he showed the world that effective marine conservation efforts can occur with long term partnerships between communities, local government, and NGOs.

He also worked with fellow researcher Walter Brown on co-authoring more than 70 publications including those about Philippine amphibians and reptiles. The Brown & Alcala’s Sierra Madre Frog was named after them: Sanguirana tipanan, where the word tipanan refers to their partnership. Several reptile species have also been named after Dr. Alcala such as the recently discovered Alcala’s Reed Snake from Mindoro, Alcala’s Wolf Snake from Batanes, and Alcala’s Triangle-spotted Snake from Romblon.

Dr. Alcala has shown us the importance of our environment, from ridge to reef, and how working together is the best way to conserve it!

Keep Haring Ibon happy – purchase biodiversity-friendly products

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A happy Philippine Eagle flying with biodiversity-safe products

Women’s organizations located in the Southern Sierra Madre are now reaching out to more customers to purchase their “biodiversity-friendly” products.

Kamias prunes and catmon sinigang powder can be purchased from Emma Ayapana. She manages KUMARE, an organization that was founded in the 90’s after a typhoon hit their homes in Real, Quezon. It stands for Kilos Unlad ng Mamamayan ng Real – “Action to develop citizens of Real.” Kumare is also a term for fellow woman.

Cristy Luna, made the eco-bag below with the help of her family; it features a rafflesia flower. She is president of the KALIPI Infanta federation, which stands for Kalipunan ng Liping PIlipina – “Association of united Filipino women.” Kalipi is also a term for fellow group or ancestors.

Eco bags, kamias prunes, catmon sinigang mix and more from the Southern Sierra Madre

KUMARE and the KALIPI federations of Real and Infanta work with the Women Go project of the Haribon Foundtion to insure that forest management in their protected area involves women leadership. 

Biodiversity-friendly enterprises are just part of the work, as they are working with local government to include women. Worldwide, 85% of government agencies and ministries in charge of natural resources and the environment are still led by men (IUCN 2020).

For more information about these products and how to get them, contact Ms. Amelita D. Talotalo at inday.talotalo@haribon.org.ph. For info about Women Go, contact Ms. Arlie Jo B. Endonila at arlie.endonila@haribon.org.ph.

Leonard Co and Rafflesia leonardi

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Leonard Co and Rafflesia leonardi illustration

Leonard Co was renowned as a “human library” of Philippine plants and trees. Unfortunately not many people knew about him before, and even after his death.

One of his legacies is a “digital library” of Philippine flora at Philippineplants.org, which today has over 72,000 photos of Philippine trees and plants. The site features photos of almost half of all plant species in the country (there are 10,000 species in the Philippines).

He also founded the Philippine Native Plants Conservation Society or PNPCSI in 2007. He was the organization’s first president, and advocated the use of native plants in forest restoration as well as making plant photographs and data available to the public. PNPCSI continues to accept members and share knowledge on the importance of our forests.

He was killed in a supposed crossfire involving the army and the NPA in the forests of Leyte on November 15, 2010.

Rafflesia leonardi Barcelona & Pelser (2008), a beautiful parasitic plant discovered in Luzon’s Sierra Madre, was named in his honor. The plant is illustrated above with Leonard Co.

Learn more about him, and how the Philippines’ lost one of its most valuable researchers in the movement to conserve our forests in the documentary “Walang hanggang buhay ni Leonard Co.”

https://cinemata.org/view?m=ms6NPFDuV

What are marine protected areas or MPAs?

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Animals discussing the importance of marine protected areas

One way to ensure fish supply, while protecting Filipinos at the coast, is to establish more marine protected areas or MPAs. And MPAs are most effective if they are built and maintained by local communities.

A marine protected area is a place that is taken care of by people because it is home to different kinds of fish and other marine species, many of them a source of food or income.

The Haribon Foundation says that an MPA is “an identified portion of land and water set aside by reason of their unique physical and biological significance, managed to enhance biological diversity and protected against destructive human exploitation.”

Another definition can be garnered from the IUCN as noted by RB Cabral et al: an MPA is a “clearly defined geographical spaces, recognised, dedicated and managed, through legal or other effective means, to achieve the long-term conservation of nature with associated ecosystem services and cultural values.”

Cabral adds that in the Philippines, MPAs can be categorized into two governance levels: nationally established MPAs and locally established MPAs.

MPAs in general then take four forms:

  1. Marine sanctuary or no-take marine reserve, where all forms of extractive activities are prohibited;
  2. Marine reserve, where extractive and non-extractive activities are regulated;
  3. Marine parks, where uses are designated into zones;
  4. Protected landscape and seascape, where protection may include non-marine resources (Miclat and Ingles 2004, White et al. 2014).

The most common objectives for MPA establishment are biodiversity conservation, fisheries sustainability, and tourism and recreation, among others.

Marine protected areas can also include mangroves! See why mangroves are important conserve here.

Marine protected area artprint

Artprint of the importance of marine protected areas

Mangroves and typhoons

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Del Carmen, Siargao's mangroves are its protectors.
Del Carmen, Siargao’s mangroves are its protectors.

Mangroves are natural barriers against typhoons! Take for example Siargao when Typhoon Odette hit the country in December of 2021.

Siargao was among the first hit by Typhoon Odette, but damage to a community in Del Carmen, Siargao was minimized thanks to… mangroves!

4,000 hectares of coastline is lined with these natural barriers or “sentinels of the sea.” It is part of the Siargao Islands Protected Landscapes and Seascapes or SIPLAS. Eight species of seagrass, representing half of all species found in the Philippines (and Southeast Asia), and 59 species of seaweeds can be found in SIPLAS.

Barangay Bacjao on the left and Barangay Parina on the right, after Typhoon Yolanda.
Barangay Bacjao on the left and Barangay Parina on the right, after Typhoon Yolanda.

In the town of Giporlos, Eastern Samar lies a “tale of two barangays.” Typhoon Yolanda brought storm surges to neighboring Barangays Bacjao and Parina. Despite being named after the local name for mangrove, Brgy. Bacjao sufferred more damage than Brgy. Parina which sufferred less. This was because only Parina had a crucial 9 hectares of mangroves to protect them.

Read more about this “tale of two barangays” on Inquirer.net.

Mangroves are not only protective natural barriers against storm surge and typhoons, they are home to many species including various kinds of fish. They are also home to our own endemic Philippine Duck, as well as mangrove or mud crabs, aka Alimango!

Next time you see a mangrove, be thankful and inquire with the local LGU if you can take a boat tour!