Flora and Fauna of Davao City

by Jane Dacumos on July 14, 2012

Do you want to have a slice of paradise of Davao City? Davao is known where largest and greatest eagle
in the world can be found – the Philippine Monkey-eating Eagle, considered as the Philippine national
bird. It is also the home of Crocodile Farm where you can find so much fun and excitement in watching
saltwater crocodiles. On the other hand, the rarest, most beautiful, and most expensive orchid among
thousands of species, Waling-Waling, can be found also in the city.

Queen of the Rainforest – On the slopes of Mount Apo, Waling-waling was discovered, an orchid of
exceptional attributes with full, velvet petals tinged in royal colors of purple, red, and yellow. So
delicate is this stunning bloom that it can only thrive on flesh and balmy air. The Waling-waling (Vanda
sanderiana) has since been successfully transplanted from its natural environment and cultivated in
many of Davao’s flower farms. Retailing at several hundred dollars a plant, the Queen of the Rainforest
has become an attractive business proposition.

Thrills at the bird show – Colorful species of birds headline this one of a kind bird show at Malagos
Garden Resort. Eagles, hawks, parrots, crows, ostriches, and even ducks perform fascinating tricks to the
amusement of guests while educating the importance of conserving the environment.

Meet Our Eagles – The Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) is considered one of the largest eagles
in the world. It has the countenance of regal majesty - snowy white plumes dappled with gray, a distinct
crested head matched with a pair of sharp eyes and strong curved beak, a powerful eight- foot wingspan,
and lethal preying claws. This majestic bird of prey has been saved from extinction and now a national
symbol is sheltered at the Philippine Eagle Nature Center in Malagos.

The Philippine Eagle Nature Center is a sanctuary for this endangered species. The center is primarily a
breeding facility for the eagles but it is also a temporary habitat of different animals endemic in the
region. Many species of indigenous flora, including the waling waling orchid, flourish in the park’s
flawless natural beauty and rugged environment.

Crocodile encounters – Davao Crocodile park is home to the largest crocodile in the country aptly named
Pangil (“jaw”). Aside from 19-foot reptile, other mindorensis and porosos crocodile species, wild cats,
pythons, turtles, lizards, monkeys, and varieties of exotic birds and butterflies can also be found inside
the mini-zoo.
Reflection

Activities such as making sanctuaries and protecting the endangered species and so on is an effort to
promote the participation of the forest and coastal communities to preserve animal life

All over the country, there are different activities to preserve our environment . Some of the
communities under the program face the threat of unsustainability due to limited financial resources or
lack of alternative employment opportunities.

Concretely, government has implemented environmental programs highlighting in different degrees the
democratic, participatory, equitable, or technically sustainable components of resource management. In
their implementation, conflicts may arise.

Whether a more integrative umbrella program, applicable to a wider area can be achieved will spell the
difference between effective management of resources in the Philippines or scattered success stories in
an overall context of failure.