TACLOBAN CITY — A rare leucistic Philippine duck has been documented for the first time at the Mahagnao Volcano Natural Park (MVNP) in Burauen, Leyte, highlighting the protected area’s importance as a habitat for threatened and unique wildlife, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 8 said on Wednesday, Sept. 9.
The park’s Biodiversity Monitoring Team, under the Protected Area Management Office, recorded a single Philippine duck (Anas luzonica) at Lake Malagsum during a routine patrol by protected area rangers.
The DENR said the Sept. 7 sighting is the first documented occurrence of a leucistic Philippine duck in the protected area.
Leucism is a rare condition characterized by reduced pigmentation, resulting in unusually pale or white feathers. Unlike albinism, however, leucistic animals do not completely lose pigmentation.
The discovery adds to the biodiversity records of MVNP and underscores the importance of protecting its lakes, forests and wetlands, which provide habitat for various wildlife species.
The Philippine duck, a species endemic to the country, is classified as Vulnerable under DENR Administrative Order No. 2019-09. Its conservation is therefore covered by the provisions of Republic Act No. 9147, or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.
Under the law, killing or destroying a vulnerable wildlife species carries penalties of two years and one day to four years of imprisonment and a fine of P30,000 to P300,000.
Hunting, capturing or possessing vulnerable wildlife may also result in six months and one day to two years of imprisonment and a fine of P10,000 to P100,000, subject to the circumstances and applicable provisions of the law.
The DENR said the rare sighting demonstrates the value of regular biodiversity monitoring and patrols in protected areas, which help document wildlife populations and identify habitats that need continued protection.
Mahagnao Volcano Natural Park is a protected area in Burauen, Leyte, about 18 kilometers from the town center and roughly 50 to 65 kilometers south of Tacloban City. It is known for its volcanic landscape, lakes, forests, waterfalls, hot springs and wetlands.
The park was originally proclaimed a national park in 1937 and was later renamed Mahagnao Volcano Natural Park in 1998. Its lakes and surrounding forests provide important habitats for wildlife, including wild ducks.
The discovery of the leucistic Philippine duck at Lake Malagsum adds another significant biodiversity record to the protected area and reinforces the need to safeguard its natural habitats from disturbance and illegal wildlife activities.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
