NatGeo host tells Pinoys: You live in a spectacular place
03/20/2012
MANILA, Philippines – Most Filipinos dream of leaving the country to visit other parts of the world, but an American herpetologist said they are lucky to be living in a place with a spectacular natural habitat.Dr. Brady Barr, who has hosted over 100 documentaries for National Geographic, is planning to spend the next few years in Asia to concentrate on the region’s wildlife.
He is the first person in the world to capture and study all 23 species of wild crocodiles.
He said he has also seen the country’s very own giant crocodile, Lolong.
“Getting my hands on that crocodile in the Philippines is very, very special,” the herpetologist said in an interview on “Mornings@ANC” on Tuesday.
Herpetology is a branch of zoology concerned with the study of reptiles and amphibians.
“You here in the Philippines, you are very lucky. You live in a spectacular place. However, sadly, many plants and animals are threatened with extinction because of the actions of us humans,” Barr added.
“We need to change our ways because extinction is forever. Once it’s gone, it’s gone.”
Barr said he has been to over 70 countries and has seen “sights and sounds that most people can’t even imagine,” but he has yet to make the most out of the many animals in Asia.
Aside from giant crocodiles, Barr said he loves the Philippines and other Asian countries for having different species of snakes, lizards and other reptiles.
“It’s like a land of the giants out here,” he said.
Reptiles ‘just as important’
Reptiles refer to cold-blooded vertebrates such as turtles, snakes, lizards, alligators and crocodiles.
There are more than 8,000 species of reptiles in the world, living on every continent except Antarctica.
Barr noted that people are naturally drawn to “warm and cuddly” animals such as puppies, but stressed that reptiles, despite their dangerous appearance, are just as important.
“They need our help more than the warm and cuddly animals,” he said.
“The first thing is education. Update yourself with what is going on with these animals. Then share that knowledge with somebody else. That’s the first step.
“I’m kind of an ambassador for all these animals. They need our help, they need our protection,” Barr ended.
He is the first person in the world to capture and study all 23 species of wild crocodiles.
He said he has also seen the country’s very own giant crocodile, Lolong.
“Getting my hands on that crocodile in the Philippines is very, very special,” the herpetologist said in an interview on “Mornings@ANC” on Tuesday.
Herpetology is a branch of zoology concerned with the study of reptiles and amphibians.
“You here in the Philippines, you are very lucky. You live in a spectacular place. However, sadly, many plants and animals are threatened with extinction because of the actions of us humans,” Barr added.
“We need to change our ways because extinction is forever. Once it’s gone, it’s gone.”
Barr said he has been to over 70 countries and has seen “sights and sounds that most people can’t even imagine,” but he has yet to make the most out of the many animals in Asia.
Aside from giant crocodiles, Barr said he loves the Philippines and other Asian countries for having different species of snakes, lizards and other reptiles.
“It’s like a land of the giants out here,” he said.
Reptiles ‘just as important’
Reptiles refer to cold-blooded vertebrates such as turtles, snakes, lizards, alligators and crocodiles.
There are more than 8,000 species of reptiles in the world, living on every continent except Antarctica.
Barr noted that people are naturally drawn to “warm and cuddly” animals such as puppies, but stressed that reptiles, despite their dangerous appearance, are just as important.
“They need our help more than the warm and cuddly animals,” he said.
“The first thing is education. Update yourself with what is going on with these animals. Then share that knowledge with somebody else. That’s the first step.
“I’m kind of an ambassador for all these animals. They need our help, they need our protection,” Barr ended.
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