Wildlife dying in RP sanctuary

Wildlife dying in RP sanctuary

CALAUIT, Philippines (AP): African and other animals in a
Philippine sanctuary are dying because of a long drought
attributed to the El Nino weather phenomenon, sanctuary officials
say.

Resident manager Terencio Libertad said 28 Calamian deer and
two impalas had died of hunger because of the dry spell, which
has killed much of the vegetation at the 3,760-hectare Calauit
Game Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary. Five other impalas and some
water bucks are missing.

"The effect has been dreadful. The grass has already dried up
and the animals have been greatly affected," Libertad said. "They
are getting thinner and thinner."

Officials say no rain has fallen on Calauit since October. The
sanctuary is located on the northern tip of Palawan Island, about
280 kilometers south of Manila. The drought has affected large
areas of the Philippines.