Paradise Foundation Del Carmen - Wildlife Project

How it all began.

A bird of prey pent-up in a wire ball.
Even today, it brings tears to my eyes when I look at this picture.

Not to lose one's temper in such a moment is realy not easy. In order to de-escalate the situation, I offered to the tormentor 500 PHP reward, if he would give the bird into my care. To avoid giving the impression I would be a potential candidate, who will buy wild animals, I pointed out explicitly to that Filipino, I will reward only that he give the bird into competent hands. And of course in the future I would press charges to the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources).

So now I had for the equivalent of 8.- € this bird freed out of the hands of his tormentor. However, it turned out very quickly that this would be an expensive joke. The bird had no tail feathers, and his wings were in a very precarious condition.So the release of the animal became impossible for the present. Now we first had to ensure an appropriate accommodation.

After a request at the local authorities brought no satisfying result, we must build an aviary. Then came to the 500.- PHP once again 14,000.- PHP additional. Ok, if you start something, then you have to bring it to a reasonable end.

The aviary was just finished when one of our plantation workers brought another bird of prey. This bird belonged to the same genus and was as tame as the bird before. So it quickly became clear, a reintroduction would harm rather than help the animals. But who now thinks it could not get any worse, has been wrong. On the way to a fisherman I heard from another bird of prey. This was a real eagle, and therefore much larger. Because of this eagle was constantly maltreated by the children with sticks, I persuaded the owner to give the bird in my care. And to top it all a neighbor brought me another eagle, because he could no longer provide them with sufficient food.

Because I am with birds of prey not really versed and they repeatedly told me the eagles are Philippine Eagles I felt a little queasy. After all I was aware that the Philippine Eagle was threatened with extinction, and still is. It also made me very sad that everyone here just catch an eagle and could put in the garden. At least now it was time to contact the Nature Conservation Authority. There could be certainly then an exact determination of the species are made. In addition, a second aviary was built, because the first was not planned for 4 birds and therefore much too small. Now my expenses amounted to more than 38,000.- PHP.

The contact with the Nature Conservation Authority (DENR) was extremely positive. It turned out that the eagles are White-breasted Sea-eagle. The smaller birds of prey were Brahminy Kites. It was also confirmed my suspicion that both birds of prey were protected species. Thus, the keeping of this Bird is prohibited by law. To the local situation and the conservation needs, we made an agreement, which was aligned with the best possible care of the birds. This agreement includes the toleration of an appropriation made by me. An official keeping permit is currently not possible. Such a decision can be taken only by the superior authority in Butuan. A few years ago it was very easy to get an keeping permit for an eagle. This is now generally excluded, what is to be positive. Even if it interferes with my activity somewhat, but it represents all those holding these birds as a prestige object, as law-breakers to pillory.

In spring 2008, thus about half a year later, a fisherman brought us another Brahminy Kite. So now we take care of three Brahminy Kites and two White-breasted Sea-eagle. Two other White-breasted Sea-eagles and a Brahminy Kite, which are located in the neighborhood and their accommodation and care are adequate, are under observation. Now that there is certainty that the birds of prey situated in our care as chicks were stolen from the nests and a reintroduction is no longer an issue, it is required for their permanent accommodation a larger aviary.

On Aug. 21 2011 was then finally the groundbreaking ceremony. On a specially for this project bought 250m² big property was built a large aviary with a size of 80m². This aviary was then divided into three sections with 1x 40m² and 2x 20m². The height of the aviary is just under 5m (highest point is 6.7 m). The usable volume is 540m³.
We have used the values given in Germany for the keeping of birds of prey as a guide. For the Brahminy Kites we have the requirement of 24m² for 3 birds slightly below. The lack of 4m² will compensated by the much larger height with a nearly double space volume. But the White-breasted Sea-eagles, we have awarded a much larger space. The requirement of 18m² for two birds, we consider totally inadequate. We have allocated these quite large and very agile animals, the same space as a Sea-eagle. For our two White-breasted Sea-eagles are 40m² and a volume of 230m³ available.
With this aviary the "Wildlife Project Level 2" was completed. The total cost (including the real property value) amounted to about ½ Million PHP.

Pictures to the text

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