Second installment of “Close Encounters of the Wild Kind: Urban Wildlife Murals” launches at the Ateneo Grade School

Around Ateneo, you may encounter a variety of animals and plants that contribute to the character of our campus. Some are more recognizable than others—the sights of butterflies fluttering over the grass, the brown tree sparrows that hop on the asphalt, and even the brilliant canopies of the Acacia trees that line the streets. Others remain elusive, such as the Philippine Teak (Tectona philippinensis) with its purple blossoms or even the Coppersmith Barbet (Psilopogon haemacephalus) that sings its distinctive "Pok! Pok! Pok!"

To spotlight and celebrate our diverse urban wildlife, the Ateneo Institute of Sustainability, in collaboration with Ateneo Wild and Ateneo alumnus Inya De Vera, unveiled the second installment of Close Encounters of the Wild Kind: Urban Wildlife Murals. Close Encounters is a series of murals installed around the Ateneo de Manila campus, illustrating the various urban wildlife documented by Ateneo Wild. The latest artwork, painted on the walls of the Ateneo Grade School, showcases the vivid blue-and-white Collared Kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris) and the well-known yellow blossoms of the Narra tree (Pterocarpus indicus) that have made the campus their home. 

The first mural in the Close Encounters series is on the facade wall of Schmitt Hall, along Red Brick Road. It features two of Ateneo’s resident bee species, the Eastern Honey Bee (Apis cerana) and the Philippine Giant Honey Bee or Putyukan (Apis breviligula), fluttering around blooming Coat Button (Tridax procumbens) wildflowers which are found all over the Ateneo Loyola Heights campus. The mural is now one of the many highlights on campus and is a frequent photo spot for students and visitors alike.

By blending art and science, the Close Encounters murals encourage the Ateneo community to interact with our environment and enhance our knowledge of local biodiversity. The colorful imagery, located along high-traffic areas, invites students, teachers, and staff to appreciate these wildlife up close and engage in conversation.

We would like to thank the Ateneo Grade School for welcoming the Close Encounters of the Wild Kind mural into their campus. We also extend our gratitude to the AIS interns and friends Bea and Casey for volunteering to help our partner artist with the mural painting.