The Bacon-Manito Geothermal Project (BacMan) of Energy Development Corporation (EDC) donated three Philippine Brown Deer and four Javan/Australian Deer to the Provincial Government of Albay (PGA) and Albay Park and Wildlife in celebration of World Wildlife Day (WWD) on March 3. The seven deer are among the animals being bred and protected by EDC in its BacMan nursery and wildlife rescue center.
BacMan Vice President Liberato Virata and Albay Governor Al Francis Bichara earlier signed a Deed of Donation at Casa Lorenzo in Legaspi to formalize the donation. The deer will be sheltered in the Albay Park and Wildlife where they will be protected and included among the park's attractions and educate the public on the importance of wildlife conservation.
As part of the WWD celebration, the PGA, BacMan and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) also released five predatory birds in the BacMan geothermal reservation which is an identified Key Biodiversity Area in the region. The celebration was held at the BacMan nursery and wildlife rescue center in Manito, Albay.
"We are pleased to participate and partner with the PGA and DENR in this important event. Environmental stewardship is integral to our geothermal operations. BacMan will continue to advocate biodiversity conservation including wildlife rescue and preservation," BacMan Vice President Liberato Virata said.
BacMan implements a comprehensive watershed management and biodiversity conservation and monitoring program including wildlife conservation which is enrolled under the DENR's Adopt-A-Wildlife-Species (AAWS) program. Through the program, EDC acts as the adopting entity of particular wildlife species throughout its five geothermal sites. In BacMan, special focus is given to the conservation of the Large Flying Fox, Golden Crowned Flying Fox, Philippine Warty Pig, Philippine Brown Deer and Philippine Eagle Owl.
The BacMan geothermal reservation has previously served as the venue for wildlife release and other environment-themed celebrations. In 2015, three serpent eagles were released in the reservation. The Serpent Eagles were rescued by EDC and DENR from illegal poaching activities and were nurtured back to health by EDC BacMan's watershed management team.
The EDC BacMan Geothermal Reservation covers 25,000 hectares of protected forest area and is a recognized model of sustainable development for successfully harmonizing its 140-MW geothermal power operations with environmental protection.
