IT WAS a great sunny Saturday so we decided to bring Iñigo to explore something new. Our destination was the Negros Forests and Ecological Foundation, Inc.—Biodiversity Conservation Center (NFEFI-BCC) that is proximal to the Provincial Capitol Building.
NFEFI is a breeding center for some of the most threatened species of animals, majority of which are found only in Negros and Panay and nowhere else in the world. The center is proud to say that it has been successful in breeding these species and eventually plan to return some of these captive-bred animals into their natural habitat in the future.
However, in the meantime, while sites are still evaluated if suitable for release, about 100 animals call NFEFI-BCC their home. The entrance fee is so minimal considering that we see endangered species right before us.
As we went from one cage to another, Iñigo was so intrigued with the different kinds of hornbills, the cockatoos, the woodpecker which was ceaselessly pecking the wood he was perched in. When we told him that a pigeon was called the bleeding heart, he argued that the bird was not injured.
We had to explain that pigeon was not “yayay” (hurt) and it was only a name given because of its “blood stained” chest. It is hard for a 2 ½-year-old toddler to comprehend that. One of Iñigo’s favorite nursery rhymes stars an owl and he is overjoyed to see an eagle owl and a hawk owl.
Walking further along, it took some time for him to spot the sailfin lizard which was motionless and the large flying foxes which in lay man’s language are bats.
He was fascinated to see the spotted deer finally come out of hiding and the warty pigs which looked like a family of papa and mama and kids.
NFEFI-BCC has a great new project according to its president, Teodulfo Infante. The center and the foundation is offering the public, especially lovers of the environment and animals, to become an active participant in looking after the animals by becoming an adoptive parent to an animal of your choice. Anyone can be an adoptive parent; it could be an individual, family, school, business, club or organization.
Adoptions run for one year from the date of payment and can be renewed from year to year as long as you wish. The cost of adoption is P12,000 annually (that’s only P1,000 per month) which funds for the care of your adopted animal including feeding, supplements, veterinary care, enrichment and improvements in the animal’s enclosure.
In return for your support, the NFEFI-BCC will provide you with an adoption certificate, fact sheet and photo of your adopted animal species, quarterly updating through email on how your animal is doing, a free pass to the Center every time you visit, 20 visitor passes, and an acknowledgment plaque to be posted at the center and on the website.
We were so glad to have brought Iñigo to the NFEFI-BCC. While he enjoyed looking at the animals, Katy said our meager entrance supported the projects of the center as well. Why not bring the children to the center for a change instead of the usual amusement parks?