Episode1: In a Monkey Business

Wildlife encounter:
- Macaque Monkeys [~10 individuals],
- Swallow (Balinsasayaw) & Nests [1 bird, several nests]
Adventure - Hiking, Caving

My first story is a pretty modest one - it's about Macaque Monkeys in Calatrava, Negros!

The monkeys in the sanctuary (in Sitio Paitan) although seemingly tame and friendly - are actually wild. This is not an endangered species – but this little story has a message for us all.
One of the 2 clans living in the area developed a "culture" of interacting with people passing thru the road to get food and even water. The other clan, as we were told, remained wild and distant to humans.

Over the years, the first clan had experienced a population decline due to "kidnapping" (as how the locals would say it), and even road accidents.
Based on our assessment – it seems like the root cause of the decline is attributed (generally) to one thing – interaction with humans!

Feeding wild animals (birds, monkeys, etc..) alters their social behavior and feeding patterns. People have good intentions to ‘help’ but normally will introduce problems. Monkeys in the sanctuary should learn how to forage in the forest, spread plant seeds (thru their deposits), and stay away from humans to help prevent transfer of disease. We may prefer them to be ‘tourist-friendly’ but that’s not the way to really protect them.

We think that the primary reason why some of them were snatched is due to their friendly behavior. They can easily be snatched, or lured by food, hopping in a van or car, and ending up in a cage somewhere.

We can help save, not just these monkeys in Calatrava, but any other wild animals – by avoiding too much interaction, and avoiding giving food or water. If animals pass on the behavior to their offspring, the next generation may not develop the right skills to hunt and scavenge for their own food.

They are born to be wild, so - LET THEM BE WILD!! :)


Related point:
Feeding animals is a form of human intervention. Generally, the first approach in conservation is ‘natural rehabilitation’ – w/c simply means, allowing nature to heal itself.
My travel in New Zealand and Palau confirmed this best approach in conservation. In Kiwiland, they close down a particular island for it to recover from bird population decline, or habitat degradation, etc., and only researchers are allowed to enter the area (for monitoring purposes). Palau has taken a more extreme approach – they occupy around a half of their territory, closed down the other part, then in 20 or 50 years (I forgot), they will move the entire population (now ~21k) and even infrastructure to the preserved area and allow the now-occupied land to recover and rehabilitate itself.
Of course human intervention (such as tree-planting, breeding in captivity and re-introduction, etc.) is necessary if nature is unable to heal itself fast or properly. A case could be: a significant mountain area with 90% deforestation coupled by erosion.

Ep.0: Up-close with a Hippo

“In there?” I asked, as the crew suggested that I should go in the Hippo pen. Having visited various natural parks in East Africa, I am aware that the most number of human fatalities caused by animal attacks are topped by Hippos, Water Buffalos (and even Rhinos before their significant population decline), and not from lions or crocodiles. And get this – these animals are all herbivores (‘vegetarians’) and for some reason, they are very aggressive to humans.

Anyway, our Hippo in Manila Zoo is ‘domesticated’ and friendly, that I can actually feed its yawning mouth with my hand, or even touch its teeth. Admittedly, I wouldn’t go near this 6000-lb animal if it’s on land (unless it acts like a friendly Labrador).

We visited the zoo to do some test shoots, and no we’re not featuring this segment in the show. I am aware that some environmentalist or animal protection groups do not like keeping animals in zoo (who would?), but it’s a subject that may not be featured in the show (kase nga ‘wild’ ung title ng show ‘di ba). My take – these animals have a different role in life now (surely they’ll never be wild again). And that role is on education and awareness, a silent campaign to love and protect the animals. It is somewhat - a ‘sacrificial’ role. Seeing them or their living conditions is also a subtle hint and call - that we should stop ‘caging’ other animals.

Now let's hear it from Sir Elton: “Turn me loose, from your hand… let me fly to distant land...”

ETO NA!

“Stand by, rolling - 4, 3, 2… “

I wouldn’t hesitate jumping out of an aircraft flying 5000ft above ground (as long as I have a parachute w/ me); nor would I even feel scared standing on a cliff edge at 28,000ft! I would not even feel anything, but amazed, diving with an army of sharks swimming around me.

But looking at the camera to deliver spiels would, at times intimidate me, or completely made me feel like a fool to myself. It is one thing making kuento to friends (konyo!), or being interviewed, but it’s a completely different matter to ‘act and feel’ your spiels. I find it especially difficult to do the VO - Voice Overs (the recorded voice used while some docu film is playing).

But this challenge seems to go away when I think about the principle – “of doing the right things”. And my higher principle here is – Help Protect the Living Planet. At least the awareness and education campaign is big on this one – so I’ll keep my hopes high that we can really do something about our ailing environment. So I have to forget about my personal struggle w/ spiels or VOs, like bad weather or strong winds during a summit attempt – I have to ignore, endure and move on!! (naks)

So how did I landed in this nightmare… err.. opportunity?
I actually don’t know! HAHA! I still can’t remember if I firmly said YES to this stuff! My co-host, Doc Ferdz, doesn’t seem to remember either. Sometimes we felt like victims of brainwashing or something… HAHA! What I remember is making pasyal to GMA office (konyo talaga!), to pitch an expedition, reality-TV story, then being lured to audition for “100% Pinoy” – but then ended up auditioning for “Born to be Wild!” The next day or so, I was told -“You will be a host!” Talaga?!

Do I want to be a host?! Huh? Not exactly! Do I like wildlife docu work? YES!! In fact, I want to film wolves, polar bears (if they’re not yet extinct), even penguins! Do I want to help in conservation work? YES!!! - And so I guess a score of 2/3 eventually made the silent decision. Of course this means sacrificing a lot of time given that I have a full-time job, so I have to motivate myself with good thoughts: “Wildlife encounter!”, “For a good cause!”, “Umm, free weekend trips!!” hahaha!

Am I ready for this thing? I really don’t know, all I know is that,
I… am… BORN TO BE WILD!!! :)