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New species in Davao bolsters case for biodiversity conservation -DENR


MANILA, Philippines - The discovery of a new species of small rodent in Mt. Hamiguitan in Davao Oriental bolsters the case for biodiversity conservation, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources said Wednesday. DENR Secretary Jose Atienza Jr. made the call after the Philippine Eagle Foundation and Chicago-based Field Museum of Natural History discovered the new species. "We have long taken great pride in our wealth of flora and fauna and this new discovery reinforces our efforts to make the protection of these unique and endemic species found in the country our top priority," Atienza said on the DENR Web site (www.denr.gov.ph). The Hamiguitan batomys or Hamiguitan hairy-tailed rat is a yellow-brown animal with a long furry tail, weighs about 175 grams, and is related to several other species known in Central Mindanao, Dinagat Island and Luzon. It lives only from an elevation of 950 meters and up to the peak, in dwarf mossy forests of areas less than 10 square kilometers. Atienza said it is very likely there will be more discoveries of new species in the country, but some of these species might already be threatened before they are discovered. He said that while government moves to conserve them, everyone must do their share to protect the country's forests, which is home to wildlife. Global scientists had declared the Philippines as one of only a few mega diverse countries in the world where rich flora and fauna are found, he said. According to team leader and lead author Danilo Balete, "hamiguitan batomys is the first mammal to be described from Eastern Mindanao, and is the first mammal that is thought to live only in that area." "Most mammals unique to Mindanao were described from Mt. Apo or Mt Kitanglad. This points to eastern Mindanao, especially Mt Hamiguitan, as a biologically unique part of the Philippines," he said. The new species was found in May 2006 during an expedition that sought to learn more about the region, which is also home to the globally endangered Philippine Eagle, the country's national bird. "Mt. Hamiguitan fully deserves to be among the global heritage sites," said Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau Director Mundita Lim, which has endorsed the inclusion of Mt Hamiguitan to the UNESCO World Heritage List. - GMANews.TV
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