Captive-breeding (Philippine Eagle)

CITES Appendix I and II.

The Philippine Eagle, Ptecophaga jefferyi is considered as an endemic species in the country, yet, its in the current list of critically endangered according to IUCN. Rapid declines in their populations are due to extensive deforestation from the past three generation (56years). Mindanao habituated by almost of their population, with recent research estimating 82-233 breeding pairs (2003), with an estimated six pairs on Samar and two on Leyte, and Luzon may have very few population left. Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park on Luzon, Mt. Kitanglad and Mt. Apo Natural Parks on Mindanao are some of the protected areas subjected to protect the eagle territory. The conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct further research into distribution, numbers, ecological needs and threats in protected areas in Mindanao. Implementations in the habitat management schemes for beneficial purposes were focused, and Samar and Leyte take findings into account when planning the release of captive-bred and rehabilitated birds.

Two New Species of Frogs in Leyte

A biodiversity resource assessment conducted in Southern Leyte by Faunal and Flora International in November 2011 become the way to discover a two new species of frogs belonging to the genus Platymantis.

According to the article that was released just this March 2015, both species differ markedly from other known species of Platymantis here in the Philippines(Platymantisguentheri Group and Platymantishazelae Group) with theri body structures, colorations and advertisement calls. However, this is the first time that a Platymantis species belonging to the hazelae group has been discovered in Mindanao faunal region, of which the island of Leyte belongs to.

Moreover, the surveys in Southern Leyte Province (covering the municipalities of Silago, Hinunangan, Sogod, Maasin, Tomas Oppus and Malitbog) recorded a total of 229 floral species (31 of which are unique to the Philippines) and 212 terrestrial vertebrates species, comprising 112 species of birds (41 species are unique to Philippines; 11 of which are threatened to extinction), 36 species of mammals (17 species are unique to the Philippines) and 64 species of amphibians and reptiles (more than half of which are found only in the Philippines).

Eastern Samar (Animal species)

Philippine Eagle (the second largest eagle in the world), the Philippine Cockatoo, the Tarsier (usually only known in Bohol), and the Flying Lemur are some endangered animals are found on Eastern Samar. Aside from these species plentiful of flying foxes, bats, different birds, (hornbills, peasants, kingfishers and others) reptiles, amphibians and insects (including many beautiful species of butterflies) can be found. There are 39 species of mammals and 197 species of birds, 16 of them are endangered.

Overview of different animals in Samar:

The Tarsier (Tarsius syrichta) is the smallest primate in the world. They have soft, furry bodies and slender limbs and are brownish-gray. They have large, rounded heads with large goggle-like eyes. With these eyes they are well adapted to their nocturnal lifestyle. The hind limbs are especially modified for leaping. The fingers and toes are extremely long and are equipped with fleshy disks that provide traction. The animals are arboreal and forage for food, usually insects and lizards, only at night.

The real name of the Flying Lemur is Colugo (Cynocephalus volans). The Colugo is a nocturnal mammal and not related to the Lemur and actually not able to fly. The colugo is slender, long limbed, large clawed, and long tailed, with a fox-like head and has soft, mottled fur. A large, furred gliding membrane is attached to the neck and sides of the body and extends along the limbs to the tips of the toes and tail. It allows the animals parachute - style glides from tree to tree. The animal is almost completely arboreal and is a slow, skillful climber. On the ground it is slow moving and nearly helpless. During the day it hangs by its claws in secluded branches or rests in hollow trees; it is most active at twilight and early dawn. The colugo feeds on leaves, flowers, buds, and fruit.

The malay Civet - cat (Viverra tangalunga) is the best known among the civets. Civets play an important role in spreading seeds in the forest over long distances. They have a long body about the size of a domestic cat, short legs, a tapered head with small ears, and a long, bushy tail. Generally they are yellowish-tan or grayish, with patterns of black spots or stripes or both. They are nocturnal hunters that prey on small animals, but they may also eat carrion and vegetable matter.

The Long - tailed Macaques or Crab - eating Macaque (Macaca fascicularis) is common all over South - Easte - Asia. They have a grey to brown - reddish fur. They raech 40 - 50 cm, the tailis up to 50 - 60 cm. Male animals reach 4,8 - 7 kg , females only 3 - 4 kg. They feed on fruits, crabs, flowers, insects, mushrooms and gras, but the main diet are fruits.

The "Golden Crown Flying Fox is common all over South - Easte - Asia. They have a grey to brown - reddish fur. They raech 40 - 50 cm, the tailis up to 50 - 60 cm. Male animals reach 4,8 - 7 kg , females only 3 - 4 kg. They feed on fruits, crabs, flowers, insects, mushrooms and gras, but the main diet are fruits.

Acerodon jubatus is the largest bat in the world, endemic to the Philippines and belongs to the fruitbats. The animals sleep in high trees and feed on figs and other fruits. The destruction of their natural habitat is threatening their survival, they are on the list of endangered species. Fruitbats play a vital role in the rainforest. The polination of many tree species is done by fruit bats.They also spread seeds of plants over long distances.

The Philippine Nectar Bat (Macaca fascicularis) is also endemic in the Philippines. Like the Golden Crown Flying Fox it also belongs to the fruit bats.They feed on nectar and old, overripe fruits. Also this species is highly endangered.

Aside from the asian or indian Cobra also the King cobra occurs on Samar. With 3,7 m the kingcobra is the largest, venomous snake in the world (the record is 5,58 m) and mainly feeds on other snakes. The asian cobra seldom reaches more than 1,8 m. To get bitten from a cobra is for humans always dangerous.

The Philippine Eagle or Monkey-eating Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi), the national bird of the Philippines, is a large bird and one of the largest eagles in the world. The species is highly endangered, there might be only about 100 animals remaining in the wild. Their diet consists of monkeys, tarsiers and Flying lemurs.

The Brahmini Kite (Haliastur Indus) is a common bird of prey. Head, neck and breast are white, the rest of the body is chestnut - brown. The bird is a scavenger but also hunts smaller animals like frogs, mice, reptiles and even insects. Brahmini Kites prefer mangroves and rivermouths but can also be found in wetlands and cultivated land. The bird is able to adapt easy.

The endemic and highly endangered Philippine Cockatoo (Cacatua haematuropygia) is a small parrot. The animals live in large groups. Only in the mating season, couples stay alone. Often the same trees are used for breeding. Phil. Cockatoos feed on seeds, partly also on fruits, buts and flowers.

Faunal Regions in Samar Island

Samar island still has some of the largest unfragmented tracts of lowland forest in the Philippines. Forest remaining cover is about 360,000 ha. About 120,000 ha are still called "Old Growth Forest". 2,400 species were flowers, 400 are endemic to the Phippines and another 400 are only known to Samar. There are 12 species of trees and other plants which among them are orchids and ferns, which are internationally rated as threatened. Their rainforest is known as Dipterocarp-forest in which endangered species like Lawaan, Yakal, Mayapis and others.

San Juanico Strait

(Filipino:Kipot ng San Juanico) is a narrow strait in the Philippines. It separates the islands of Samar and Leyte, and connects the Carigara Bay (Samar Sea) with the San Pedro Bay (Leyte Gulf). It is about 38 kilometres (24 mi) long, and at its narrowest point, the strait is only 2 kilometers (1.2 mi) wide, said to be the narrowest strait in the world.

San Juanico Bridge is part of the Pan-Philippine Highway and stretches from Samar to Leyte across the San Juanico Strait in the Philippines. Its longest length is a steel girder viaduct built on reinforced concrete piers, and its main span is of an arch-shaped truss design. With a total length of 2.16 kilometers (1.34 mi),^[1] it is the longest bridge in the Philippines spanning a body of seawater.

The bridge was heavily damaged by Typhoon Haiyan in November 2013 but repaired.

The MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park 

(also known as the Leyte Landing Memorial Park and MacArthur Park) is a protected area of the Philippines that commemorates the historic landing of General Douglas MacArthur in Leyte Gulf at the start of the campaign to recapture and liberate the Philippines from Japanese occupation on 20 October 1944. This event led to the largest naval battle of World War II and Japan's eventual defeat and surrender after almost three years. The war memorial is located in the municipality of Palo on Leyte island in Eastern Visayas and is one of the region's major tourist attractions. It was declared a national park on 12 July 1977 through Letter of Instructions No. 572 signed by President Ferdinand Marcos.

Near the intrance of Sohotan Caves in Sihotan, Basey, Samar

Sohoton Caves, or more appropriately, the Sohoton Natural Bridge National Park is situated at Rawis, Brgy. Guirang in Basey, Samar.

Samar & Leyte Islands

  

Samar-Leyte Islands

            The islands of Leyte and Samar are communally known as the Eastern Visayas Region VIII, comprising of six provinces such as: Samar (25 towns with Catbalogan as capital), Northern Samar (24 towns with Catarman as capital), Leyte (41 towns with Tacloban as the capital), Southern Leyte (18 towns with Maasin as the capital) and Biliran (8 towns with Naval as the capital). The regional capital is the City of Tacloban, where the regional offices of all government institutions are situated. Eastern Visayas has a total land area of 21,561.8 sq. km.

          Leyte is an island in the eastern Philippines, neighboring Samar Island. It is coated with abundantly wooded mountains. Most of the crops grewn in its fertile valleys are coconuts, rice, sugarcane and hemps. There are two provinces which devide the island: Leyte Province and Southern Leyte Province. The island's total area is 7,200 sq. km (2,800sq.mi).

          Samar Island is seperated on the northwest from the island of Luzon by San Bernardino Strait and Leyte on the south by San Juanico Stait and Leyte Gulf. Agricultural products are mainly rice, hemp, coconuts and sweet potatoes. Catbalogan  on the west coast is the major city. Samar Island has an area of 13,100 sq km (5,100 sq mi).