Pinay feted in UK for efforts to save PHL crocodiles

A Filipina was honored in London for her efforts in protecting the environment, particularly Philippine crocodiles, a report on GMA News TV's "Balitanghali" said Monday.

Maritess Gatan Balbas of Isabela province received the Whitley Fund for Nature Award for her crocodile protection and conservation efforts, the report said.

The report said Balbas has been leading the Mabuwaya Foundation, a group that protect Philippine crocodiles and their natural habitat in Isabela province, for over a decade.

It added through Balbas and her group's efforts, the endangered Philippine crocodiles were saved from extinction.

"Thanks to Tess and her team at Mabuwaya Foundation, community support for crocodile and wetland conservation on Luzon Island has already been mobilised with considerable success," Whitley Fund for Nature said in describing Balbas.

It added Balbas' foundation has established four community-managed crocodile sanctuaries.

Because of this, "the crocodile population has increased from just 12 in 2001 to more than 100 in 2012," Whitley Fund for Nature said.

"The number of crocodile killings by humans has also decreased from thirteen in 1998 to one in 2013," it added.

According to its website, the Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN) is a UK registered charity offering awards and grants to outstanding nature conservationists around the world.  —KBK, GMA News


Photo courtesy of Whitley Fund for Nature.