Palawan Council for
Sustainable Development

Palawan Kiddies release butterflies to the wild

Alex S. Marcaida PCSDS, Media Bureau Chief

Despite intensified enforcement, Palawan still faces threat from wildlife trafficking. Various sectors have been involved to put a check on this. Children included.
On the eve of “All Saint’s Day” about 80 kiddies, age 6-12 trooped to Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center (PWRCC) to set free over a hundred colourful butterfly species. No less than Gov. Abraham Kahlil B. Mitra led the releasing of the low-flight creatures. After the release, Gov. Mitra treated the kids to an “ice cream frenzy”. The kiddies had fun and scour through the forest without complain. ( Continuation from Front page) Those are butterflies endemic to Palawan and are part of those raised in captivity by Rico and Cristy Sanchez, owner of the CS Entomological Garden - a PCSD registered butterfly garden in Puerto Princesa City. Part of the owners’ obligation is to release at least 10% of the adults to the wild, to enrich biodiversity.

It also serves as “family bonding moment”, as mothers and fathers join in not only to assist the kids but participate in the activity, as well.

These bubbly kids are members of the PCSD Kiddie Wildlife Savers’ Club, organized by the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff (PCSDS), as part of its environmental education program in support to the implementation of the Wildlife Act (RA 9147). “it’s really fun seeing the kids enjoying the company of nature and partaking in the responsibility of saving wildlife, afterall, we should, as we all share this only earth we have “ Mitra stressed.

Maria Erica, 9 and a member of the Club, can’t help but be overwhelmed “Masaya po magpakawala ng mga wildlife, xxx dati natatakot ako sa ilang hayop, pero friendly na ako sa kanila ngayon xxx sana di sila saktan at paramihin lang sa gubat” she said.

This is the second activity of the Club after their first in August 2010 where they released more than 1000 heads of fresh water turtles (bakoko) back to their habitat in various sites. These “bakoko” are part of those confiscated from an illegal operator ready to ship the cutie- reptiles out of the province for trade. The kiddie Club hopes to educate small boys and girls about the importance of wildlife especially in maintaining ecological balance. The Club serves as their alternative school on how to take good care of the environment through creative events and activities where modules are hands-on. With this initial success, the PCSD plans to expand the program province-wide. The Kiddie Club is now open to interested kids wanting to join in. For more info, visit the Club’s recently uploaded website http://www.wix.com/pcsdkiddieclub/im-a-wildlife-saver