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.