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Haribon: The Philippine Eagle's Extinction |
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by Aldrin Aujero | 22-10-2017 22:09
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The monkey eating king of the air, with its wingspan of up to 7 feet and its weight reaching up until 6.0 kg, is now one of the most endangered species in the tropical country of the Philippines.
This specific eagle is endemic to the Philippine archipelago, meaning to say, it can only be found in the Philippines and nowhere else with its most famous nesting grounds being that of Luzon, Samar, Leyte and Mindanao. Needless to say, the likes of this critical bird primarily resides in the mountainous areas of the country, surrounding itself with the vastness and greeneries of nature. Hence, with the exponential rate of urbanization in my country, it is no surprise to see the numbers of Haribon consistently dropping over the years. Its habitat is constantly being threatened by the urban sprawl which leads it migrating often, prohibiting the chances of mating between the species. What does this lead to? Well, for one, it does lead to decreased offsprings due to the behavioral change in the species migratory behaviour. This means that less and less Haribons are being born each year leading to a shrinking population. Why though is its population crucial? More than its grandeour and intrinsic beauty, this king of eagles nonetheless serves as a vital component of the ecosystem around it. It was noted by several research studies that the climate and geographical features in the Philippines has allowed the Haribon to gain dominance as the top predator in the wild, having monkeys, snakes and squirrels as its prey. Wouldn't it be a good thing if a predator was eliminated? you ask. Not exactly. It may be true that the number of its preys would increase as a result. But also consider that the Haribon's decreasing numbers would also mean a drop in the competitive dynamics of the dietary heirarchy of nature. This means that other predators in competition with the Haribon including snake, crocodiles and other hunter species would naturally grow in number as well. This, in turn would upset the balance in the food chain which would be detrimental for the ecosystem as a whole. Therefore, efforts in the conservation of the Philippine Eagle are of paramount importance. If it is of such importance, then what sorts of actions are being implemented? again, a curious you asks. Well, several NGO's in the Philippines are currently in the frontlines of the efforts in preserving the habitats of the Haribon. The Haribon Foundation, for example has been conducting preservation works and has been setting up acres of habitat conserving sites soley for Haribons. This is critical especially for the Haribons because they're mating dynamics require quite a huge sum of land approximately 2000 square meters for its most efficient mating grounds according to a study by the Philippine Eagle Foundation. Habitats are crucial in conservation, and thus this actions are of significant importance. However, that is not to say that it is the only means to preserve Haribons. Other initiatives include campaigns against forest shooting and deforestry. It is important to realize that bird shooting still remains to be an active industry in the Philippines with very little regulations to limit the extent of its damages. Hence, foundations like the Haribon Organization has set up campaigns to rally local governments to increase regulations on bird shootings especially on those that have the majority of Haribon's nesting grounds. Cool, but why bring this issue up if it is already being addressed then? Well firstly, you must recognize the fact that all campaigns, no matter how well established and launched, would always reach a point of inflexion a point where its momentum quickly approaches zero. This point is when the "excitement" and "hype" that was once so eminent on the issue gradually recedes into nothingness. The controversy transitions into a phase of "cliche" and "boring"-ness. While it is sad to admit, the Haribon Campaign is in itself in this phase. People in the Philippines seems to have dismissed the issue of the Haribons with more and more apathy. We brag about having the King of all Eagles in our motherland and yet seem to pay less and less attention to the danger enveloping it. However, I believe, as we all should too, that intervention from the international community would be able to shrug this indifferent mindset back into order. Spreading awareness regarding this issue and encouraging people to respond would ellicit more debates and discussions which would hopefully bring to life the campaign against the extinction of this precious creature. It is a common saying that to whom much is given, much is required. The Philippines has been blessed with a maginificent specie of an eagle, and it follows that we, the international community and the youth, should aid in upholding this responsibility. |
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5 Comments
Hi, Aldrin! You've done a great job explaining the effect that the decrease of one species has on the other species of the ecosystem. The increase or decrease in the population of one species will inevitably affect the balance of all of the other species in the food chain, even including plants and fungi. Maintaining the balance is important in sustaining a normal ecosystem, and that's what makes protecting endangered species all the more important. Nicely written!
Posted 30-10-2017 20:01
Hi, Aldrin! Sustaining the balance of eco-system is most important to achieve sustainable future of the earth. Every species are connected to each other and they have their own position in eco-system to maintain its shape and this is what nature looks like! Indiscriminate human activities like urban sprawl greatly influence on eco-balance. We must take a responsibility for what we've done and should give nature a sufficient time for resilience. Thanks for your very informative report!
Posted 27-10-2017 01:18
Thanks for such a clear report mate.
Posted 26-10-2017 00:51
Hi Aldrin! Thank you very much for your informative and useful report!
Posted 25-10-2017 16:47
Thank you all for reading. I'd be glad to answer more of your questions! Please post them in the comments section below!
Posted 22-10-2017 22:10