Plants and Animals

The Philippine eagle, also known as *Pithecophaga jefferyi* or the “monkey-eating eagle,” is one of the most majestic and rarest birds of prey in the world. Endemic to the tropical forests of the Philippines, this eagle is not only a national treasure but also a powerful symbol of the challenges and successes of wildlife conservation in the archipelago. The Philippine eagle stands out for its impressive size and majestic appearance. With a wingspan that can reach up to 2.2 meters, it is one of the largest eagles in the world. Adults typically measure between 86 and 102 cm in length and weigh between 4.5 and 8 kg, with females generally being larger and heavier than males. Its plumage is primarily brown with a crest of white feathers on its head, giving it a commanding and unique appearance. This eagle inhabits the dense tropical forests and mountains of the islands of Luzon, Leyte, Samar, and Mindanao. It prefers altitudes ranging from sea level up to 1800 meters, where it can find an abundance of prey and suitable nesting areas. The tropical forests not only provide dense cover for hunting but also tall and sturdy trees for building its massive nests. Contrary to what its name might suggest, the Philippine eagle does not feed exclusively on monkeys. Its diet is varied and includes birds, bats, reptiles, and even medium-sized mammals like civets and small deer. The eagle’s ability to capture a wide variety of prey demonstrates its adaptability and role as a top predator in its ecosystem. The Philippine eagle is a solitary and territorial hunter. It uses its sharp vision to spot prey from the treetops before swooping down with deadly precision. Eagle pairs form long-term monogamous bonds, and they share the responsibility of raising their young. The female typically lays a single egg every two years, and the parents closely watch over their offspring during the first months of its life. Unfortunately, the Philippine eagle is classified as critically endangered. The main threats to its survival are deforestation, illegal hunting, and habitat loss due to agricultural expansion and logging. Habitat fragmentation makes it difficult for the eagle to find food and reproduce, exacerbating the challenges faced by this species. However, significant efforts are being made to save this iconic bird. The Philippine Eagle Foundation (PCEF) plays a crucial role in protecting and preserving the Philippine eagle. The PCEF manages captive breeding programs, rehabilitates injured eagles, and leads educational initiatives to raise public awareness about the importance of conserving this species. Additionally, several nature reserves and national parks have been established to protect the vital habitats of the Philippine eagle. Cooperation between non-governmental organizations, the Philippine government, and local communities is essential to ensure a viable future for this majestic bird. The Philippine eagle is more than just a national symbol; it is a living testament to the richness of Philippine biodiversity and the importance of wildlife conservation. Its survival depends on our ability to protect its natural habitats and raise public awareness about its critical situation. By working together, we can ensure that this incredible raptor continues to soar through the skies of the Philippines, inspiring future generations and reminding us of the beauty and fragility of our natural world.

The giant lizard of the Philippines, also known as the Philippine monitor lizard (Varanus bitatawa), is a fascinating and little-known species of monitor lizard. This species was officially discovered in 2010, making it a relatively recent discovery in the world of science. Before that, the Philippine monitor lizard was known to local indigenous communities but had managed to escape the attention of scientists due to its isolated habitat and elusive nature. This giant lizard can reach up to 2 meters in length, with most of that length attributed to its long tail. Like all reptiles, it has a skin covered in scales, typically black or gray with yellow or greenish patterns, providing excellent camouflage in its forest environment. It also has a forked tongue, similar to snakes, which helps it more easily detect scent particles and prey. If you want to see this species, you can find it in the Sierra Madre, in the northern part of Luzon Island in the northern Philippines. It inhabits tropical rainforests with dense and wooded areas. In fact, without trees, your chances of spotting one would be diminished, as the Philippine monitor lizard is arboreal, meaning it spends most of its time in the branches. This giant lizard is diurnal, meaning it is active during the day. As mentioned earlier, it is an arboreal species and spends most of its time high up in the branches. It comes down to the ground to search for food. Unlike its mostly carnivorous monitor lizard cousins, it primarily feeds on fruits. It also consumes leaves, flowers, and occasionally eggs and small animals. Scientists don’t have specific details regarding the reproduction of this giant lizard. However, they believe that, like other monitor lizards, it lays eggs, which it buries in the ground or places in crevices. This species is classified as ‘vulnerable’ by the IUCN. The main cause is habitat destruction due to deforestation caused by humans. Poaching also poses a threat. The Philippine monitor lizard plays a crucial role in the local environment. As a frugivore, it helps disperse seeds, contributing to forest regeneration. Conservation and protection initiatives are underway to safeguard the forest habitats of this species. Awareness and education programs are being implemented to inform local populations about the importance of this species and the need to protect it.

The dugong is a marine mammal that belongs to the order Sirenia, along with manatees. It is the last surviving member of the Dugongidae family. Among the species that have gone extinct is the impressive Steller’s sea cow, which could reach 8 to 9 meters in length and weigh 8 to 10 tons. This giant species inhabited the cold waters of the Bering Sea. It was hunted by humans in 1741, and within about thirty years, it became extinct. Dugongs typically measure between 2.5 and 3.5 meters in length and can weigh between 250 and 900 kilograms. They have thick, smooth skin that is often covered with algae, on a streamlined body. Their heads are rounded, and they have tails resembling those of dolphins, paddle-shaped. You can find dugongs in the coastal waters of the Indo-Pacific. This species is not endemic to the Philippines; you can also see them in Australia, along the coasts of East Africa, and elsewhere. However, even though they are not endemic, this species plays a crucial role in the marine ecosystem by maintaining the health of seagrass beds. By grazing on these plants, they promote the growth of new seagrass, which helps maintain biodiversity and water quality. If you want to see them, you should look for them in the shallow waters of lagoons or coastal areas where seagrass beds are abundant. Dugongs have shovel-shaped snouts, which are well-suited for grazing on such underwater plants.Nevertheless, if you want to observe dugongs in the Philippines, here are the places where you might have the chance to spot them. First, we have the province of Palawan, where several locations are conducive to dugong sightings. There is Calauit Bay on Busuanga Island, a place known for dugong sightings. Then, near Busuanga, there is Coron Island, popular for boat tours that allow you to observe marine creatures in their natural habitat. There are also the Dimakya and Cuyo Islands. Lastly, in the province of Bohol, there is Pamilacan. This is another destination where dugongs can be observed. Organized tours offer the opportunity to swim with dugongs in their natural habitats. Regarding their lifestyle, dugongs are usually solitary animals, or they sometimes live in small groups. However, in areas where food is abundant, they can gather in larger groups. As for reproduction, females give birth to a single calf after a gestation period of about 13 to 15 months. Mothers nurse their young for up to around 18 months.Dugongs are classified as a “vulnerable” species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Indeed, this species is threatened by several factors. First of all, there is the destruction of their habitat. They depend on seagrass beds for food. Due to coastal urbanization, tourism, and agriculture, their feeding grounds are being reduced. We also observe that pollution plays a crucial role. It contaminates the seagrass beds that they feed on and also directly affects their health. Fishing and accidental bycatch are not uncommon. Dugongs sometimes get caught accidentally in fishing nets. There are also destructive fishing practices, such as bottom trawling, which can also destroy seagrass beds.In some coastal regions, dugong hunting still occurs. This practice is illegal but persists in some communities. Dugongs are hunted for their meat and oil. Beyond hunting or accidental bycatch, collisions between boats and dugongs are more common than one might think. Dugongs are often injured or killed by boat propellers, especially in areas with heavy maritime traffic. To mitigate these threats, several conservation initiatives are in place to protect dugongs, such as the creation of marine protected areas, fishing regulations, and awareness programs aimed at reducing human threats.

The tamarau, also known as the Mindoro dwarf buffalo, is a species of buffalo endemic to the rainforests and plains of Mindoro, in the Philippines. The tamarau is the smallest of the wild buffaloes and is easily recognizable by its V-shaped horns. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified it as a critically endangered species. The tamarau has several physical and behavioral characteristics that distinguish it from other buffaloes. Firstly, the tamarau is undeniably smaller than other species. It stands around one meter at the shoulder and weighs between 200 and 300 kilograms. Next, its coat is dark, ranging from dark brown to black. Males have V-shaped horns that are longer, thicker, and closer together than those of females. Tamaraws are solitary animals, unlike other bovine species, which live in herds. Their solitary behavior is likely due to the adaptation to forest life, where it is difficult to live in herds. The only known predator of the tamarau is humans. They are also known to be aggressive towards humans. Males fight each other, especially during the breeding season. Females chase away other tamarau by lowering their heads and shaking their horns. Originally, the tamarau was a diurnal animal and searched for food near agricultural lands. However, its behavior seems to have evolved; it appears that they now feed at night and rest during the day under dense vegetation.As for their habitat, tamaraus are endemic to the island of Mindoro, living in lowland forests and mountainous grasslands. They prefer these areas because it is easier to hide and find food. The tamarau is a threatened species, with an estimated population of around 500 individuals. Due to agriculture, deforestation, and human development, the loss of its habitat is the primary threat. There is also poaching, hunting, and diseases transmitted by domestic livestock. However, several conservation programs have been established to address this situation, including those by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) in the Philippines. WWF is an international non-governmental organization focused on nature conservation. They have created reserves and sanctuaries to provide a protected habitat for tamaraus. Additionally, WWF has implemented regular patrols to prevent poaching and illegal deforestation. Significant efforts are being made to monitor the tamarau populations. We still have much to learn about them. It is important to understand their ecology and behavior if we are to protect this species in the long term.

The Philippine hornbill is a bird species endemic to the forests of the Philippines. It is also known as the “Philippine toucan.” Unfortunately, this species is threatened due to deforestation. It is important to preserve their natural habitat as they play a significant role in the ecosystem of the Philippines. Indeed, these birds disperse the seeds of the plants they feed on. For a detailed description of the Philippine toucans, we can say that they are medium to large in size compared to other hornbill species. Generally, they measure between 45 and 60 centimeters in length, with a wingspan of up to 30 centimeters. Their plumage is primarily black. However, they often have distinctive white markings on their bellies, which can form complex patterns. Nevertheless, depending on the individual, the intensity of the white markings varies. Moreover, the most striking feature of the Philippine hornbills is their massive and colorful beak. It is usually yellow or orange, with a red band at the base. It is very long, curved, and ends in a sharp point. This characteristic is present in all members of the species, but the size and color of the beak are unique to each individual. Regarding their eyes, they are relatively large and have a beautiful color, ranging from a cool blue to a bright blue or a golden brown. They can also be very dark, almost black, depending on the individual. Finally, the Philippine hornbills have strong legs and powerful claws, adapted for perching on tree branches and grasping their food. Their legs are generally pale gray to blackish, with short but strong toes. Males and females are generally similar in appearance, making it difficult to differentiate them at a glance. The tropical rainforests and mountain forests of the Philippines are the primary habitats of the Philippine hornbill. Hornbills heavily depend on large trees for nesting. Unfortunately, their habitat is threatened. Deforestation, unsustainable logging, and land conversion for agriculture have led to a drastic reduction in the habitat of this iconic species. Without these lush forests, the Philippine hornbill loses not only its home but also its sources of food and nesting. Regarding their feeding behavior, hornbills are primarily frugivorous. They feed on a wide variety of fruits found in tropical and mountain forests. Nevertheless, they can supplement their diet with insects, small reptiles, and more. Their very powerful beak allows them to break hard-shelled fruits and grasp small prey. Reproduction in Philippine hornbills involves particular behaviors. When a pair bonds, it is usually for life. The female lays her eggs in a tree cavity, often an old woodpecker cavity. She then enters the cavity and seals the opening with excrement and mud, leaving only a small slit through which the male can bring her food. After the eggs hatch, the parents feed the young with regurgitated food until they are ready to leave the nest. The Philippine hornbill is considered an endangered species due to habitat loss caused by deforestation, logging, and land conversion for agriculture. Hunting and the illegal bird trade are also significant threats to this species. However, conservation efforts are being implemented, including protecting the remaining forest areas, raising public awareness, and establishing rehabilitation programs for declining populations.

Philippine tarsiers are small primates endemic to the Philippines. They are a protected species in the Philippines and we can find a sanctuary dedicated to them. It’s on the island of Bohol that we can admire the tarsiers in their sanctuary. Despite the fact that they are a protected species on the brink of extinction, they are poached and some Filipinos capture them to keep as pets. In terms of physical characteristics, tarsiers are very small indeed. They measure between 10 and 15 centimetres in body length and have a tail that can measure up to 20 centimetres. Their weight varies between 100 and 150 grams, depending on male or female. Their bodies are small, slender and elongated, with long hind limbs especially suited to jumping. Philippine tarsiers have a dense, soft, grayish-brown coat. They have relatively large heads compared to their bodies, with large, round eyes adapted to night vision. Their eyes are fixed and cannot move in their sockets, but they can turn their heads 180 degrees to either side to compensate. Philippine tarsiers have large, thin, mobile ears that can swivel independently of each other to pick up sounds in different directions. In addition, their hind limbs are particularly long and powerful, suited to leaping through tree branches. They also have long, tapered toes, with adhesive pads that enable them to grip surfaces firmly. Finally, Philippine tarsiers have specialized dentition, with long incisors and sharp teeth adapted to their mainly insectivorous diet. As for their natural habitat, Philippine tarsiers live in the southeast of the Philippines. It is found on the islands of Bohol, Dinagats, Leyte, Samar and Mindanao. This species lives in primary and secondary forests. However, due to deforestation and poaching, the species is “vulnerable”. The Philippine government has recognized the harmful human impact on the tarsiers and decided to dedicate a sanctuary to them. They are therefore protected on the island of Bohol, in the heart of the Visayas. The tarsier is a very anxious animal, and in the event of too much or constant stress, this can lead it to end its life. A caged tarsier will bang its head on the bars and may break the fine bones of its skull. It can also stop breathing and suffocate. A camera flash or a burst of human voice can be enough to put it under mortal stress. That’s why, when visiting the sanctuary, you need to be careful about noise when moving or talking. You must also be careful not to activate the flash when taking photos, as they are nocturnal animals and very sensitive to light.