Second wildlife handling workshop held on World Animal Day 2022

In celebration of World Animal Day 2022, the Ateneo Institute of Sustainability and The Ateneo Wild invited experts from the Biodiversity Management Bureau – Wildlife Rescue Center (BMB-WRC) to train University staff on the best practices when wild animals are encountered. This included the safe and humane handling and release procedures should the animals need to be relocated from classrooms, office spaces, and buildings.

The workshop started with a brief orientation on commonly encountered urban animals, their behavior, and the equipment and mindsets needed in handling them. This was followed by a hands-on session where participants had a chance to practice how to safely capture and contain animals under the guidance of the BMB-WRC staff.

This is the second Wildlife Handling Workshop, the first was held last 23 May 2022, in celebration of the International Day for Biological Diversity. Both sessions were enriching experiences in learning more about our wild neighbors and how to keep them – and ourselves – safe! Our campus is a home shared with many kinds of urban wildlife including eagles, reptiles, mammals, amphibians, and other creatures who all play important roles in keeping our urban ecosystems healthy. It is our duty and responsibility to care for them and ensure that they, too, can enjoy safe spaces. 

The Ateneo Wild is a citizen science program that promotes the importance of urban biodiversity and green spaces in making our cities healthy and beautiful. Through social media, guided nature walks, printed media, and other activities, The Ateneo Wild hopes to deepen the community's appreciation for nature in the city. Find out more by visiting them on Facebook and Instagram.