A new face is taking over the leadership, starting this week, at the Biodiversity Conservation Center of the Negros Forest and Ecological Foundation, Inc. in Bacolod City. The new curator is Dr. DJ Darwin Bandoy, 24, a native of Laguna, who took over the position of Dr. Leo Jonathan Suarez, who has transferred to the Wildlife in Need Foundation in Subic.

The task ahead is tedious, Dr. Bandoy said, so we're counting on Negrenses to do their share in biodiversity conservation. He hopes to continue the information, education and communication initiatives Dr. Suarez conducted during his three years and four months' work with NFEFI.

Suarez, Doctor of a Veterinary Medicine graduate of the University of the Philippines, like his successor, started an sustained educational campaigns for the center through lectures in school and the community, reminding Negrenses that "wildlife in Negros Island is unique and important". Through his efforts, NFEFI linkage with tertiary education has expanded, from one institution, West Negros College to three - including St. La Salle and La Consolacion College taking an active part in the thrust to conserve local ecology.

A major program in the center is the continued breeding of animals that are either vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered. At least animal types are found in the conservation center, which is home to at least 15 species, are considered critically endangered - the Visayan Warty Pig and the Negros Bleeding Heart Pigeon - the two veterinarians said. Among the endangered ones are the Negros Spotted Deer and the Blue-naped Parrot. Suarez, among others, rehabilitated sick animals, ensured animal welfare, managed zookeeper and volunteers and maintained individual animal health records.

The NFEFI facility is one of the three conservation centers in the Visayas with one managed by Silliman University in Dumaguete City and the other by West Visayas State University in Iloilo, Dr. Bandoy said.

Dr. Suarez said that during his term, the center managed to successfully breed in captivity, for the first time in the world, the Philippine Eagle Owl, locally known as the kwago, in the facility, which started in 1994 as a rescue center and, expanded two years later to initiate its conservation mission. Also bred in the center recently were the ibid, or the Philippine sailfin lizard, the Luzon Bleeding Heart Pigeon, the Visayan Warty Pig and the Tarictic Hornbill, said Dr. Suarez, who is a native of Zamboanga City.

Emphasizing the value of research, both veterinary medicine experts said they are committed to studies that will provide more information about endangered species with Dr. Bandoy underscoring that he hopes to bridge the wide data gap covering biodiversity concerns. We can't conserve more if we don't understand well the animals we're trying to help, he said, adding that the studies will involve not only the modestly sized staff of the center but also partners and the community in general.

On his part, Dr. Suarez said that some tasks may not have been completely attended to because there had been many things to do and that seemed frustrating but what encouraged and inspired him to do more was the en-thusiasm of people - the staff, stakeholders and even outsiders -- who demonstrated the initiative to help, asking in what ways they could be of assistance.

He also expressed hopes that, in the future, biodiversity conservation will be included as part of the basic education curriculum to ensure greater appreciation and support to wildlife preservation efforts.

Dr. Bandoy, who worked as a veterinarian of the Birds International Avicultural Park and Research Center in Metro Manila prior to his new position, considers, among the challenges ahead, the plan to reintroduce some of the species - specifically the Visayan warty pig and the horn bill -to their habitats. But this will entail a long process, he said, as he explained it will require intensive surveys, not only of animal behaviour but also of the environment and the people and communities surrounding the habitats. You're combining here the work of a veterinarian, a biologist and a social worker, he said in explaining the scope of the tasks to bring the animals back to their original surroundings.

He also hopes to address the continued problem of the encroachment by the human population of animal habitats, like the forest, as caused by increasing human population. There must be a sustainable way of managing resources - so that people will not lose their livelihood while they are also protecting the animals and the rest of our natural resources, he added.

Dr. Suarez expressed hopes that the provincial and other local government units in Negros can initiate more ordinances that will support the Wildlife Act and ensure the protection of animals and come up with pro-active approaches, like a "Wildlife Day" to help create a sense of environmental ownership among the people, instead of jus relying on the provisions of penalties as prescribed for law violators.

That, Dr. Bandoy added, will definitely help push eco-tourism, which is the trend in many countries today. If we showcase our wildlife by protecting them, tourists will come and the more eco-tourism activity, the more opportunities we have for greater support and funds for pro-environment initiatives.

Asked what he will miss about his work at the center, Suarez was quick in his reply: " I'll miss the people I worked with, our partners and, certainly, the animals" as he pointed out that he will also miss "the place itself". It's laid back here but it has the ambience of the city, it's not polluted like Metro Manila and everything's accessible; life is very comfortable here, he added.

Dr. Bandoy, in an earlier interview, expressed his great interest in his new assignment and stressed that "conservation must be deeply inculcated in our everyday life, not just as a fashion statement, but, more so, as a way of life. We want people to be part of a legacy which they can be proud of," he said.

The two conservationists, reiterating the need for greater awareness of wildlife conservation, stressed that as people know more about biodiversity conservation, they realize that endangered species are found in Negros and these are fast disappearing if nothing is done against the threats. "The people must be made to realize that, no matter how little their efforts to help are," they can make a difference in saving our wildlife," they added.

NFEFI Trustee Robert Harland is appealing to parents to help make that difference by bringing their children to the center. It's an expensive way of entertainment - at P10 each - but it's a meaningful experience for the young ones, he said, explaining it doesn't cost much for Negrenses to help in the biodiversity conservation efforts. One can be a sustaining member for an annual fee of P1,000 or P10,000 for corporations and companies, Harland added.