Silliman University declared wildlife sanctuary

DUMAGUETE CITY – Silliman University (SU) has been declared a wildlife sanctuary, not just a bird sanctuary, strictly prohibiting the collection or harming of wildlife on campus, as declared by its board of trustees (BOT).

Dr. Angel Alcala , BOT vice chair and head of Silliman University Angelo King Center for Research and Environmental Management (SUAKCREM), said it is Silliman’s responsibility to protect and conserve wildlife as an institution that has been active in conducting research and advocacy on biodiversity that includes wildlife species since 1941.

According to Alcala, based on a SUAKCREM study of trees and animals on the Silliman campus, there are 69 species of trees, 44 species of recruited trees and community associates, 62 species of birds, 32 species of mammals and 27 species of reptiles and amphibians in SU.

The study includes the A.Y. Reyes Zoological & Botanical Garden and mangrove garden at the Dr. Angel C. Alcala Environment and Marine Science Laboratories.

“Trees have been included in the study because they serve as habitats of birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals, and they also provide food for the animals,” Alcala said.

The BOT’s declaration of SU as a wildlife sanctuary also covers SU’s other sites such as the SU Farm at the College of Agriculture and SU Center for Tropical Conservation Studies (Centrop) extension site

in Palinpinon, Valencia, Alcala added.

Alcala clarified though that there are no poisonous reptiles on the Silliman campus and that all snakes on campus are harmless and they should be free to roam the campus.

“In general, snakes are more afraid of humans, and they should be allowed to move freely,” he said.

There are large reptiles that invade the attics of houses, but they are there because they feed on rats. An example is the reticulated python. Another large reptile species is the monitor lizard. This is a beautiful and harmless species, Alcala added.