Central Panay mountain
ranges open for adoption

SAN JOSE, Antique -- The mountain ranges of Central Panay will soon be opened for adoption, according to the Protected Areas Wildlife and Coastal Zone Management Services (PAWCZMS) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

The mountain ranges of Central Panay spanning four provinces serve as home to several threatened endemic species or those that can only be found in Western Visayas.

These species include, among others, the Visayan warty pig, spotted deer, hornbill and bleeding heart pigeon.

PAWCZMS Protected Areas and Wildlife chief Damaso Fuentes, however, said they are still in the process of conducting consultative meetings to identify specific sites and where the threatened species thrive.

Fuentes said there will be a biodiversity assessment and actual head count of species in target areas.

At present, they are conducting the identification process in Sebaste, Antique where hornbills and spotted deer are present.

Fuentes said they welcome individuals or groups willing to help them in the protection of wildlife.

One good thing about the adoption is that whatever amount they spent will be deducted from the taxes that they will pay, Fuentes said. (PNA)