UP Tacloban holds international forum on "Raptors in the Anthropocene"
1 October 2024
Conservationists from Europe and the Philippines discussed challenges in and innovative approaches to protecting endangered species, especially raptors, in a seminar on “Raptors in the Anthropocene: Strategies, Innovations, and Challenges” hosted by UP Tacloban College on 27 September 2024 at the Leyte Samar Heritage Center.
UP Tacloban faculty and students with (L-R) Dr. Eulito Casas, Ms. Adela Hemelikova, Dr. Dominic Fisher, Dr. Jayson Ibañez, Dr. Jan Hanel, DNSM Chair Dr. John Paul Yusiong, and Asst. Prof. Jay Torrefiel
Ms. Adela Hemelikova, research and conservation head at the Liberic Zoo in the Czech Republic, shared insights on understanding species exploitation and tracking movement patterns using GPS and satellite telemetry, among others, based on their efforts to protect songbirds and turtles in Pulau Banyak Bangkaru Island in Indonesia.
Liberic Zoo’s curator for birds of prey Dr. Jan Hanel presented the bearded vulture reintroduction program which has bred and released over 535 vultures across Europe using innovative methods like the hacking technique. He also discussed the importance of selecting appropriate environments for reintroduction, along with monitoring techniques such as telemetry and physical coding.
Ms. Hemelikova discussing her presentation entitled "Holistic Approaches to Conserving Marine Ecosystems - The Indonesia Experience"
Dr. Hanel presents his talk on "Species Reintroduction to Save Imperiled Apex Predators: The Bearded Vulture Program Experience"
Dr. Dominik Fischer of the Der Grüne Zoo in Wuppertal, Germany gave an overview of threats faced by raptors today, including climate change, food scarcity, lead poisoning, and diseases like avian flu. He emphasized the importance of preventive measures such as vaccination and disinfection, and he shared insights into rehabilitation techniques to ensure the survival and eventual re-release of injured birds.
Dr. Jayson Ibañez, director for research and conservation of the Philippine Eagle Foundation, discussed the holistic conservation efforts undertaken to protect the Philippine eagle, with a focus on habitat restoration and collaboration with indigenous communities. He stressed the role of forests and indigenous culture in biodiversity conservation and called for an increase in protected areas to help save the Philippine eagle.
Dr. Fischer's presentation on "Threatened Avian Species Coping with a Modern World: The Danger and Impacts of Zoonotic and Infectious Diseases"
Dr. Ibañez's presentation on "Threatened Species Conservation as a Nature-based Solution to Climate Change: The Philippine Eagle Conservation Case"
The seminar was hosted by the Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics of UP Tacloban College.
