MOA forged vs illegal wildlife trade

The City of Manila vowed yesterday to step up the campaign against the illegal trade of endangered species by setting up its own wildlife rescue center inside the Manila Zoo.

Manila Mayor Lito Atienza placed in writing the city administration’s commitment to join the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in the effort to save endangered animals.

In the memorandum of agreement (MOA), Atienza said he would deputize wildlife enforcement officers (WEOs) to man the Wildlife Rescue Center at the zoo. The center would serve as a temporary repository of animals confiscated from traders.

WEOs will submit confiscation reports to the DENR-National Capital Region within five days after each confiscation operation. The report shall include information such as species, quantity, health status of wild animals confiscated, the names of persons from whom the animals were rescued, the names of personnel involved in the operation, and the date of confiscation.

Atienza and DENR Secretary Michael Defensor yesterday signed the five-page MOA, wherein both officials agreed to collaborate with one another to ensure the sustainable utilization of wildlife species and illegal wildlife trade, particularly in Manila.

Both parties said they share a common desire and objective "to ensure a healthy environment and sustainable use of the country’s wildlife resources for the present and future generations."

The Arranque Market along Sta. Cruz, Manila is one of the known trading areas for exotic pets. There are reportedly more than 200 wildlife hobbyists and traders in Manila with majority of illegal traders operating at the said market. The document provided by the DENR to the Office of the Mayor showed that hunting and illegal trade threaten half of the bird population in the Philippines, which is considered a biodiversity "hot spot."

"At present, more than 350 of the country’s 1,130 terrestrial wildlife species are already facing a high risk of extinction due to illicit trade, among the other contributing factors. The illegal trade of wildlife therefore, presents a serious threat to the conservation and perpetuation of our wildlife resources," the DENR said.