Wildlife conservation

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor CHERYL CRUZ Desk Editor PATRICK PANGILINAN Busines Editor NIDA A. BUENAFE Sports Editor RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

Conservation efforts from the Negros Oriental Provincial Environment and natural Resources Office to preserve the remaining spotted deer, the Visayan warty pig and other endangered wildlife in the province can never be too late.

Wikipedia reported that since 1991 the range of species has severely decreased and is now almost co-extensive with that of the warty pig. It is estimated that there are 300 spotted deer surviving in Negros Island, while the wild pig population is less than 300 roaming the forests of Negros island. Some years back the warty pig is endemic to six islands in our country but became extinct in four other islands.

People who cared for wildlife conservation have allotted a big portion of their fenced property in the south for the endangered spotted deer and warty pigs under an industrial forest management agreement to protect them from hunters and poachers.

We agree with the goals of wildlife conservation to ensure that nature will be around for future generations to enjoy and for people to recognize the importance of preserving our remaining forest that is home to our endangered species.

We must help the various groups, especially the non-government-organizations that actively promote or are involved in wildlife conservation and elicit support for them.*