Right along the commercialized main road of Sucat in Parañaque is an oasis not many know it’s there. Its facade is typical of Bio Research pet shops—you’d think the place is just one huge pet warehouse—but inside is a four-hectare garden of plants and animals.

I first heard of Lost Eden from my friend Jayvee, a fellow animal-lover. I honestly had a few reservations about going all the way to Parañaque to check out the place. Unlike him, I’m not an avid fish hobbyist (I prefer animals with fur, specifically dogs). But my husband Marc is. So together with our friend Juned (who also happens to be a huge fish fan like the two), we set forth on a day of nature tripping and pet shopping in the South’s hidden oasis. More…

The Philippine Eagle Center in Davao City is home to the Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi), one of the most powerful—and one of the largest—eagles in the world. Its local name is banog, and also known as “Haribon” or “Hari ng Ibon,” which means “Bird King.” In 1995, under Proclamation No. 615, President Fidel V. Ramos named the eagle as the national bird of the Philippines.

Unfortunately, poachers and deforestation pushed this magnificent bird into being critically endangered. The Philippine Eagle now have to be bred in captivity. Their cages are built with more than enough space in order to mimic their natural habitat, which would help them adapt easier when they’re released into the wild. More…

The Philippine Tarsier (Tarsius syrichta) is an endangered tarsier species endemic to the Philippines. They are cute little creatures with huge eyes and very long limbs, usually just about 4 to 6 inches in height. Because of their small size, the Philippine Tarsier usually fall prey to owls and stray cats—besides, of course, for the human hunters who capture these creatures to keep as pets or sold for trade.

I was fortunate enough to see the tarsier up close in a Tarsier Sanctuary when I visited Tagbilaran City in the province of Bohol. The tarsier is a nocturnal creature, and the ones we saw basically just clung on the branches while some hard-headed tourists poked their backs to get their attention (people are discouraged from touching the animals, as doing so may cause them undue distress and might accidentally harm them).

The Philippine Tarsier primarily eats insects—I was able to witness the caretaker feed the tarsier crickets and grasshoppers skewered on a stick.

Apart from hunting, the destruction of the tarsier’s natural habitat has also led to endangering the species’ survival. Because of this, a legislation was passed to include the Philippine Tarsier as one of the country’s protected wildlife species. There are also efforts from NGOs to protect the survival of the Philippine Tarsier.

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