Monday, August 30, 2010

First National Zoological Conference

The First National Zoological Conference was held last August 23 to 24, 2010 at the Bulwagang Buhay-llang, Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center Quezon Avenue, Quezon City. The two-day event was organized by the PhilZoos Association together with the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB). Its theme is “Zoological Parks: Moving Towards the 21st Century.

PhilZoos is an organization of zoo owners and operators to share notable insights and invaluable knowledge that will revolve on three-pronged” objectives: Promotion of responsible zoological park operations, enhancing awareness of zoological park owners/managers/staff on existing policies and other basic considerations in zoological park establishment and operation; orientation about PhilZoos and to obtain the latter’s support on the agency’s endeavors.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) can promote the country as a must-see destination for foreign tourists not only because of its world-class beaches and resorts, historical and cultural landmarks, world-class products and goods, beautiful sceneries but also zoos where they can view birds and animals in the Philippines.

The Philippines has also rare birds and animals tourists must see because they are now becoming extinct with the loss of their national habitat. These are the tamaraw in Mindoro, the pilandok or Philippine mouse deer, the smallest hoofed animal found only on Balabas Island, Palawan, the kagwang, a unique animal in the wilderness of Bohol, Leyte, Samar, Basilan and some parts of Mindanao, kooka, the largest of flying squirrels found in the Philippines, the malmag, one of the smallest primates in the world, the deer found in the forests of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, the tandikan or peacock pheasant, found only in the forests of Palawan, the dalud or imperial pigeon found in the forest bird, and the kalangay, the Philippine cockatoo now restricted in Palawan.

PhilZoos PAWB and conference organizers have laid out the following topics for discussion: Basic Policies on: Zoological Park Development and Operations: Animal Welfare and Ethics Welfare: Evaluation of Non-Human Animals in Philippine Zoos, Role of Zoological Parks in Wildlife conservation; Developing Wildlife Park Operators into a Responsible Organization: The SEAZA Experience. Talks were given by Southeast Asia Zoological Association (SEAZA) president Dr. Jansen Manansang, PAWB director, Dr. Mundita Lim, another of International Animal Welfare and Ethics, Dr. G. Agooramorthy: P2 Rommel Almarzon of PMA Baguio City; Dennis Salvador of Philippine Eagle Foundation.

For further information, contact PAWB at (632) 9246031-35, email planning@pawb.gov.ph or visit http://www.pawb.gov.ph/

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