Gail Laule
WIN/Aytas Wildlife Conservation Initiative
| Location | Country | Categories | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philippines | Asia, Community, Pet trade | 18 Jan 2004 |
This project focuses on the terrible toll the wildlife pet trade takes on species, individual animals, and their habitat. We are providing community education, and alternative livelihood opportuntities for the local indigenous people, who are a major source for these animals.
Our objective is to launch a public education campaign on the wildlife pet trade. Public education efforts aimed at curbing this trade will be beneficial to individual animals as well as to species. Success in raising community awareness will lead to greater support for the Ecology Center's efforts to enforce laws that prohibit the capture, sale, or holding of wildlife by private individuals. Implementing an education program on a local level with the Aytas allows us to reach Subic Bay and surrounding areas, as well as 3 million visitors annually, 97% of whom are Filipinos. 
Our public education program includes the following components:
1. "Wildlife as Pets" poster
2. presentations to community organizations
3. educational graphics at the Rescue Center
4. alternative livelihood opportunities for the Aytas including participation in a "Forest Walk" ecotourist experience with a focus on the wildlife pet issue, caretaker training at the Rescue Center, and support for their environmentally-responsible honey apiculture project
News & Updates
|
On May 27-29, 16 members of the Magbukun Aytas attended a training workshop on environmentally responsible Tropical Beekeeping provided by experts from Photo - Capturing Bees: Participants learn how to safely capture bees from an existing hive. In June, 8 members of the Magbukun Ayats were selected for training as guides for the Forest Walk. They are assisting in the development of the narrative which focuses on conservation issues and the unique relationship between the Aytas and the forest.
|
the National Center of Excellence for Bee Research and Development. The workshop consisted of lectures, discussions, demonstrations, and hands-on participation. The Aytas learned how to construct hives, gather bees, form and manage colonies, and harvest and process the honey. They also learned how to sustainably harvest honey from forest hives. Multiple follow-up visits to the Ayta's village are scheduled to provide ongoing assistance.