PHILIPPINE WILDLIFE RESCUE CENTER EDUCATES CHILDREN ON

UNCLAS MANILA 001323

SIPDIS

STATE FOR OES ACHU, SPOVENMIRE AND EROSE
BANGKOK FOR REO HHOWARD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO SENV KSCA TSPL EAID RP
SUBJECT: PHILIPPINE WILDLIFE RESCUE CENTER EDUCATES CHILDREN ON
WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY

Ref: STATE 49931


1. SUMMARY: Inspired by the Department-produced message by Jane
Goodall to stem the illegal trade in wildlife and wildlife products,
Mission Manila invited Filipino youth to the Wildlife Rescue Center
to hear about the U.S. and Philippine anti-wildlife trafficking
initiatives. To celebrate World Environment Day, Post arranged for
the Director of the Philippine Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau
to teach 50 students about wild animal rescue, care, rehabilitation,
and release. The students also toured the Wildlife Rescue Center,
handled snakes and birds, and received coloring books on the illegal
wildlife trade. END SUMMARY.

Background
--------------


2. For the second year, the Bureau of Oceans, Environment and
Science produced public service announcements for release on World
Environment Day (reftel),featuring famous personalities to
emphasize the U.S. commitment to curtail the illegal trade of wild
animals and associated products. Since the Philippines is a major
transit point for trafficked animals and products in Southeast Asia,
the Philippine government shares U.S. interest in educating the
public to decrease the demand for these animals and products.

Event Partners
--------------


3. The Philippines Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau operates the
Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Nature Center to house rescued
animals and secure confiscated animal parts for evidence in
trafficking cases. The lush center was a perfect setting for Post's
June 5 World Environment Day event. The Wildlife Bureau does not
advertise itself as a confiscated goods repository, and no press was
present while Center personnel waited that day to receive 600
valuable elephant tusks seized by customs at the Port of Manila
(septel).


4. The Center's volunteer group, MyZoo, gave tours of the holding
facilities to students. The volunteer veterinarians help rescue
illegally-traded wild animals from Philippine ports of entry, local
pet shops, and individual owners and traders. The veterinarian
explained that the ultimate goal is to release the wildlife to their
natural environment, but that this is not always possible. For
example, 20 Indonesian cockatoos were rejected by that country in
2003 after lengthy negotiations broke down due to an outbreak of
avian influenza. The Center has cared for the birds since the 2002
confiscation.


5. The students came from the poorest slums in Manila through a
non-governmental organization's program that provides educational
and after-school activities for over 800 children living in a
garbage dump and a cemetery. The program is partly funded by
selling trash to junk shops, recycling paper and aluminum, and
selling handbags and jewelry made from trash by students' parents.
Some of these 'recycled accessories' were displayed for sale at the
Wildlife Center on World Environment Day.


6. After the presentation and tour, EconOff gave the volunteers
copies of the Jane Goodall public service announcements. In
exchange, the veterinarian presented a package of anti-animal
trafficking posters produced by the Philippine Protected Areas and
Wildlife Bureau. The details of event were posted on the
Department's "Dipnote blog" on June 15 at http://blogs.state.gov/
or can be accessed at http://tinyurl.com/mze9or. In addition,
Post's Public Affairs Section placed the Goodall announcements on
MTV and Second Avenue, Philippines.

KENNEY