DAVAO City — Raptor researchers and conservationists in Asia called out to authorities to tighten implementation of policies and laws to protect wildlife.
Toru Yamazaki, raptor biologist and president of Asian Raptor Research and Conservation Network (ARRCN), said there is a need for Asian countries to impose stricter laws against illegal hunting of birds.
“The purpose of raptor conservation is not just to protect raptors, but also to conserve natural resources,” Yamazaki said.
Yamazaki stressed that illegal hunting of raptors and other wild animals remains a big problem in most of Asian countries, putting about 121 species of raptors in danger.
Lack of political will
Dennis Salvador, executive director of Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF), also said these illegal acts continue to be an “on-going concern” worldwide, including the Philippines due to “lack of enforcement and political will.”
“I think we have enough laws, (but) enforcing those laws is the problem,” Salvador said.
“In many cases, many local government units have been tolerant of these cases under the guise of poverty; many of such cases have been excused. As a result of that people think that they can easily get away with it,” he added.
Salvador said raptors and wildlife in general suffer due to the lack of attention given by authorities.
He said government agencies in-charge should “shape up” and address these concerns by seriously getting on the ground, enforce the law and penalize violators.
“I don’t think that it sinks in with the leaders that Philippines is one of the richest in biodiversity. There’s a lack of understanding that all these animals and organisms and plant life are interconnected and in the end, we as people will suffer,” he said. (davaotoday.com)
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