PHOTO ESSAY: Wall of Nature

MP-KNN teamUncategorizedLeave a Comment

Text and photos by Kara Santos

May is the month of oceans, but in a country that’s surrounded by water, it makes sense to think about our oceans year-round.

In this photo essay, Kara Santos shows how activist and painter AG Saño created a 1,075 meter-long mural depicting different species of fish, turtles, manta rays, sharks, dolphins, and corals. Local children also joined in during the mural painting.

 

The "Biodiversity Wall of Nature" mural covers the 1,075 meter long wall surrounding the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center in Quezon City. The longest wildflife mural wall in the country is an initiative of the Coastal and Marine Management Office of the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau in partnership with Marine Wildlife Watch of the Philippines and Dolphins Love Freedom.

Volunteers helped paint the entire fence last May 25, 2012. Activist-Painter AG Saño prepared the wall with sketches depicting different species of fish, turtles, manta rays, sharks, dolphins, and corals. The mural highlights marine creatures to mark the month of the ocean this May.

 

The wall was divided into five sections each focusing on a biodiversity group: deep sea, corals, mangrove/seagrass, wetlands and terrestrials. Visual artist groups also volunteered their skills and helped paint various sections of the wall.

 

The Philippines is considered as both a hotspot and a megadiversity country. However, the country's species continues to face threats from habitat destruction, over-exploitation, poaching and illegal trade and pollution.

 

 

The mural aims to highlight the richness of the Philippines' natural wealth and raise awareness on better protecting these against climate change and other threats.

 

The mural also includes freshwater or marshland dwellers including “Lolong,” the giant crocodile caught in Agusan del Sur last year.

 

Children living in nearby communities also joined in during the mural painting.

 

The activity was intended to achieve a festive atmosphere while highlihgtin the richness of the country's coastal and marine environment. The "Biodiversity Wall of Nature" mural covers the 1,075 meter long wall surrounding the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center in Quezon City. The longest wildflife mural wall in the country is an initiative of the Coastal and Marine Management Office of the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau in partnership with Marine Wildlife Watch of the Philippines and Dolphins Love Freedom.

 

To support the conservation and protection of marine wildlife species and their habitats in the Philippines, visit Marine Wildlife Watch on Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/marinewildlifewatchofthephilippines

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