Strewn in the shallows of the Indian Ocean off Tanzania lie shards of dead coral reefs. Why? Because poor Tanzanian fishermen are using explosives, illegally, to kill hundreds of fish in seconds. Blast fishing, as it’s called, not only destroys large numbers of fish directly—but indirectly as well by killing coral and the rich array […]
Tag: philippines
Rare Philippine eagle chick born in captivity; boosts hope for the species
On December 7, a tiny Philippine eagle hatchling was born at the Philippine Eagle Foundation’s (PEF) conservation center in thePhilippines. This is the twenty sixth eaglet born at the center in 23 years, and the first offspring of a female named Go Phoenix and a male named MVP Eagle. “This hatching is a big breakthrough […]
Have scientists discovered a new primate in the Philippines?
Despite some media reports, scientists have not yet discovered a new species of big-eyed, nocturnal primate – known as tarsiers – in the Philippines. Instead what they have discovered is an intriguing population that is genetically-distinct even from nearby relatives, according to a new open-access paper in PLOS ONE. “There does seem to be a […]
Hunting in the Philippines: Okay for the Rich and Powerful, Illegal for the Poor and Lowly?
What does government and society do when hunters are caught and/or documented in pictures of their own with their day’s catch – dead Philippine wild ducks which are classified as vulnerable? Of course, they are prosecuted for violation of the law, fined and jailed, just like Bryan Balaon, a 26-year-old farmer in Bukidnon, who has […]
Sierra Madre Ground-Warbler – discovery of new bird species
A ground-warbler from the Philippines is the twenty-third species of bird described in 2013. The species, dubbed Robsonius thompsoni, is described in the August issue of the journal The Condor. It was discovered after researchers from the University of Kansas, the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, the University of the Philippines Los Baños, and the […]
Civet coffee: why it’s time to cut the crap
I am today launching a campaign aimed at ending an industry that I created. That trade is in kopi luwak, AKA civet coffee – otherwise known as “wolf”, “cat”, and “crap” coffee, and the most expensive coffee in the world. Over the past 20 years Kopi Luwak has become the ultimate bling coffee, a celebrity […]
Siloy – Cebu’s Endangered Black Shama
“SILOY,” that is what this Philippine Cebu Endemic is locally called. I have thought that photographing this bird would be a walk in the park, but it was quite difficult for us. Our local guide Pedro Villarta, who is one of the wardens of Nug-as forest in Alcoy, said that the bird is territorial and […]
Kissing Tarictic Hornbills of Mindoro
For the last four hours of stay in Sablayan, our single wish was just to have photos of the MINDORO TARICTIC HORNBILLS which we have a quick glimpse the previous day. We have climbed a stiff ascent early that day in Siburan Subprison without having photograph a single bird, and we were beginning to get […]