Over 7,000 waterbirds were sighted in the three (3) identified sites during the Annual Asian Waterbird Census on January 13, 2021 at the Cabusao Critical Habitat, Cabusao, Camarines Sur.

The Annual Asian Waterbird Census was spearheaded by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) led by Conservation and Development Division (CDD) through its Protected Area Management and Biodiversity Conservation (PAMBCS) Team. Representatives from the different divisions of the Regional Office, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) of Camarines Sur, Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of Sipocot and Local Government Unit (LGU) Cabusao also participated in the activity. 

Meanwhile, a notable decrease in the number of waterbirds was observed in Cabusao this year due to the successive typhoons that devastated the province. Two (2) other identified sites in Bicol Region, particularly, Juban Wetland Critical Habitat in Juban, Sorsogon and Mercedes Critical Habitat in Mercedes, Camarines Norte are also scheduled to conduct the Annual  Asian Waterbird Census on January 19, 2021. However, because of the threat brought about by Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19), the organizers limited the number of participants to adhere to the strict compliance of health standards. 

Asian Waterbird Census is conducted annually every second and third week of January, simultaneously observed with the other international censuses of waterbirds in Africa, Europe and Neotropics under the umbrella of the International Waterbird Census (IWC). (Photo courtesy: CJPdelacruz)

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Parent Category: News & Events
Category: Press Releases
Published: 18 January 2021