MERGED: Silliman University

[Miguel]

---

.



SILLIMAN ZOO


a.k.a.


AY Reyes Zoological and Botanical Garden


SILLIMAN ZOO is a mini forest and the home of the Center of Tropical Preservation (Centrop). This forest serves as a captive breeding ground for some of the country's endangered and endemic species like the Visayan Spotted Deer, Philippine Brown Deer, Philippine Crocodile, Visayan Tarictic Hornbill, Negros Bleeding Heart Pigeon, Reticulated Pigeon, Visayan Warty Pig, Long Tailed Macaque, and Flying Fox (giant fruit bats).


For years now, it has been making conservation efforts for the survival of these species. Some of the offsprings from these captive breedings were distributed to different partner zoos around the world for a greater chance of their survival while some were released back to the wild.

This mini forest is also made up of a collection of different species of trees around the country.




ENTER THE SILLIMAN ZOO





VISAYAN SPOTTED DEER




One of the most threatened deer species in the world. Now extinct in the islands of Cebu, Guimaras, and Masbate and found only in the remaining forest patches of Negros and Panay islands.

They are herbivores feeding on flowers, berries, grasses, and fruits. Males are differentiated from females by their horns called "antlers".

Conservation Status: ENDANGERED



PHILIPPINE CROCODILE



looks small in the picture but actual size could be from 7 to 10 feet long

The Philippine crocodile is one of the most severely threatened species of crocodiles. The species persist as isolated individuals and small populations in Mindanao, Negros and Mindoro. Confirmed sites include Nabuntaran, Calarian Lake, Macasendy marsh, Liguasan marsh (Mindanao) and the Pagatban river (Negros). Current wild population size may be no more than 100 non-hatchlings.


PHILIPPINE BROWN DEER




The Philippine Brown Deer is originally restricted to the Philippines but was later introduced into the Marianna Islands. It can be found throughout most of the country but hunting caused this species' number to decline. Local extinction has been reported in Catanduanes and Biliran.



VISAYAN WARTY PIG




3 evils eyes lurking in the dark...


... actually just 3 little pigs probably hiding from the big bad wolf


The Visayan warty pig is a little-known, small, forest-dwelling pig that has only recently been recognised as a separate species. Historically found throughout the Visayan Islands, this species is now extinct over at least 98% of its former range, with the few surviving populations confined to fragments of remaining habitat on the islands of Negros and Panay.



VISAYAN TARICTIC HORNBILL




One of the smaller Philippine hornbills found only on the remaining patches of Negros and Panay islands.

They are omnivores, feeding on fruits, insects, and smaller mammals. They are important pollinators and seeds dispensers, which is a vital role in forest regeneration.

Conservation Status: ENDANGERED



NEGROS BLEEDING HEART PIGEON



This endemic bird species can be found in lowland dipterocarp and primary forest areas.

It is distinguishable from other bleeding heart pigeons by its elongated red streak.

Its wild populations are limited to the remaining forest fragments of Negros and Panay. With these continuining habitat loss on these islands, the Negros bleeding heart pigeon is now critically endagered.



RETICULATED PYTHON


the snake is not clearly visible as it is covered with a tinted glass to simulate its dark habitat


It is the longest of the python snakes, with lengths up to 33 feet!

It is the most widespread python species in the world. However, its wild population is heavily threatened by the illegal wildlife trade of its skin, blood, and gall bladder which are used in traditional medicine practices.

These animals are usually killed when encountered by humans.



LONG-TAILED MACAQUE



where's the macaque?


These primates are found in primary, secondary, coastal, mangroves, swamps, and forest in Southern Indochina, Burma, Indonesia, Philippines, and India's Nicobar Islands. Because monkeys are naturally tolerant with humans, they may also be found near villages.

Although not endangered, wild populations are severely threatened by habitat loss and illegal pet trade.



FLYING FOX


artificial bat cave; the bats cannot be captured well by the camera because of the thin plastic screen


courtesy of sillimandreams

Flying fox or fruit bat is endemic to the Philippines and that it is found no where else in the world. This specie is held in captivity only at two facillities in the world which are the Lubee Foundation and CENTROP at the Silliman University in the Philippines.

Status: Declining due to habitat destruction, but still fairly wide-spread and stable



COLLECTION OF DIFFERENT SPECIES OF TREES




a forest at the heart of the city



HOW TO VIEW



bridge serving as viewing deck


LOCATION




Silliman Zoo is just located behind the Silliman Soccer Ballfied and Archery Range. Only a tall hollowblock wall separate between the two.

[Miguel]

Silliman University Marine Laboratory

Silliman University Marine Laboratory's (now known as Institute of Environment and Marine Sciences) program on marine protected areas was adjudged as the Best Higher Education Institutions (HEI) Research Program in the country by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) during the awarding ceremony last January 25, 2007 at the Philippine International Convention Center, Manila. Silliman received P1 million after it bested 11 other entries with its entry, “The Marine Laboratory Program on Marine Protected Areas”, which details the efforts of the SU Marine Laboratory.

Unknown to many, SU Marine Lab pioneered the establishment of marine protected areas (MPAs) in the country. The program on marine protected areas has the longest record of research, extension and development work on the subject of marine protected areas (MPA) among academic institutions in the country, having been the first to establish an MPA (Sumilon Island) in 1974. It has established 20 MPAs for fishery enhancement and biodiversity conservation in the Visayas and Mindanao and has extended to 61 others in the form of habitat and resource assessments, biodiversity enhancement, and capacity building.

Though it doesn't have the media publicity mileage compared to other research institutions, in a low-profile way it has contributed significantly to this country. It helps maintain the biodiversity of Tubbataha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the beaches and diving sites in Bohol, Cebu, and Mindanao which resulted in the influx of tourists inclined in diving, and it was one of the first to respond during the Guimaras Oil Spill.

SU Marine Laboratory


Marine Botany


Biochemistry


Invertebrate


Vertebrate

The country's first marine protected area was the Sumilon Island in Cebu in 1974 but due to politics (the Abines, notoriously known for being a warlord and for his illegal fishing business) the program was aborted. The first successful community managed protected area was the Apo Island in Dauin, Negros Oriental, world reknowned for the abundance of its marine life. related story HERE

It used to be an island whose seas and marine life were ravaged and damaged by illegal fishing methods, but through proper education, it has dramatically changed into a world reknowned diving destination. It has now become a model for a community managed marine protected area which was then replicated in other areas in this country and abroad. Today, tourists from all over the world have come to dive in this island as it is one of the world's best diving sites. In fact, a giant replica of the Apo Island was created at the world's biggest aquarium, the Shedd Aquarium of Chicago. It has now become a permanent fixture in that aquarium and it advertised to the whole world the abudance of marine resources in our country.

Rock Formation Near Apo Island


Tourist Peacefully at Rest in Apo Island


Paradise of the Deep


Shedd Aquarium Interactive Game

click IMAGE to play

SU Marine Lab is also the home of the 2nd largest whale bone collection in Asia

Asia's 2nd Largest Whale Bone Collection

It is also the home of some of the country's endangered animals. There is a captive breeding of the endangered Philipine Crocodile, Turtles, and Giant Clams.

Giant Clam Tank


Mangrove Garden


Philippine Crocodile

Students from all over the world have come to Silliman to take undergraduate, masteral, and doctorate degrees in Marine Sciences.

Local with a Marine Science Student



SILLIMAN TOO HAS ITS OWN BEACH FRONTING SU MARINE LAB


Silliman Beach
click IMAGE to enlarge

SILLIMAN UNIVERSITY MARINE LABORATORY

- Center of Excellence in Coastal Resources Management
- Center of Development in Marine Sciences
- Center of Excellence in Biodiversity Conservation
- Supported by the Smithsonian Institute
- Supported by the Haribon Foundation
- Supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
- connected with other foreign schools

[coolnezz]

go Silliman!

-= Silliman University Opensource Network =-

[anvil]

Nagka ma-ut na man ang silliman.
lupigan naman gani sila sa NORSU. Nursing nalang ang gabuhi sa silliman.

[coolnezz]

do you know what you're talking about?

[Cruzader]

do you know what you're talking about?

Do you? Tinuod baya na nagkababa ng quality sa Silliman. Tan.awa mga student, palahubog kaayo. Daghan pagud adik na teacher

[anvil]

Ang eng'g silliman wala na gyud top board unlike NORSU. Let's accept the fact that high caliber eng'g profs of silliman before transferred and teaching now in NORSU. No body can refute that!

[jedrickjames]

i love su....

[Earnest]

@anvil tan-awa ang mga number of examinees anang sa board exam sa engineering. i-compare ang number of takers sa su and norsu. daghan gyud sa su compared sa norsu. pro still su gets high percentage sa passing rate.
pro we cant deny it pd nga mga engineering board exams regular ng my nagplace sa norsu...

[coolnezz]

you're basing everything on engineering? gimme a break! you're comparing SU & NORSU? gimme a break! who cares about engineering, every campus you go they're all freakin' drunkards!