The UP Wild

03/09/2026

When we care for our canals and esteros, life flourishes. Freshwater crabs, small fishes, and even Asian swamp eels (Monopterus albus) call our campus streams home.

However, these eels, locally known as igat or kiwit, are actually not native to the Philippines. In fact, they were introduced species way back in 1905 for aquaculture, but has since became an invasive species and posed negative effects on the environment and on our rice farmers. The eels burrow and create holes on irrigation dikes, causing a leak in the rice paddies and a headache for the farmers.

Turning this problem around, Filipinos have taken advantage of this additional food source and started harvesting them. In first part of 2013, the Philippines exported 517M worth of eels to China, Singapore, Japan, Taiwan, etc., providing additional income whilst helping control the eel population.

With that said, please do not harvest wildlife in our campus. It is prohibited to harvest and collect wildlife. The eels in the picture were harvested by other people (not by our contributor).

Photo by Rosario Contreras

Source:
Ame, E. C., & Mayor, A. D. (2021). Efficient fishing method to control the population of rice eel, Monopterus albus (Synbranchidae) in rice fields in Cagayan Valley, Philippines. The Philippine Journal of Fisheries, 28(1), 228-245.

28/08/2026

It isn't just the crickets that take shelter inside buildings during heavy rains - but also snakes!

This is the Philippine Rat Snake (/Coelognathus erythrurus/), one of the common snake species found on campus. From the name, these snakes like to eat rats, as well as other small animals, and that's why they like to hang around urban areas because of the abundant rat population. In other words, they are our natural rat exterminators!

In this video, we were happy to report that the building staff did not harm the snake. Thank you for respecting wildlife ❤ Rat snakes are not aggressive and are non-venomous. Most often, they will slither away at the slightest sign of humans. When you see one, keep a respectable distance and let them be.

Let's share the space with wildlife.

Video by Leonard Yco & Jobert Hemocilla

20/08/2026

Now that our bodies of water on campus are full and flowing once more, have you stopped to appreciate them? They support wildlife as well!

These are a pair of Three-spot Gourami (𝑇𝑟𝑖𝑐ℎ𝑜𝑝𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑠 𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐ℎ𝑜𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑢𝑠), a fish native to mainland Asia and parts of Indonesia, but introduced elsewhere in Southeast Asia. In their native habitat, they are commonly used as food fish, but they have also become popular in the aquarium trade and have been bred to produce coloured strains, like the blue individual in this photo.

While we are glad that fish and other aquatic life are thriving in UPD's streams and ponds, we don't endorse releasing pets on campus. Captive animals are not adapted for living in the wild, and oftentimes do not survive. They may also have a negative impact on local, native wildlife. Let's keep UP wild for our native plants and animals!

Thank you to Julian Antonio for this photo!

18/08/2026

The Sounds of Diliman After Dark. When the night falls, the campus changes, and a hidden world of sound comes alive.

As evening settles over UP Diliman, the familiar spaces of daytime fade away. The broad avenues dissolve into long shadows and the warm glow of streetlights illuminates the winding paths of the University. It’s easy to feel isolated, to think you are the only soul braving the damp, quiet darkness.

Have you ever heard the jarring, chugging echoes through the August air? (see comments for a link)

Calling from the darkness is the Philippine nightjar (/Caprimulgus manillensis/), known locally as kandarapa or tukaro because of its mechanical, bisyllabic call. Kandarapa is a nocturnal bird that hunts insects and is active from dusk to dawn.

Found only in the Philippines (i.e., endemic), this species of nightjar calls the campus its home along with many other bird species. Their distinct call might be eerie to some, but for researchers, it resonates as a novel tool in the country’s maiden exploration of a world where conservation meets sound.

At night, biologists at the Institute of Biology use bioacoustics (study of biological sounds) to map the hidden lives of birds. Rather than relying on sightings, which are difficult due to kandarapa’s bark-like camouflage, researchers utilize non-invasive audio recorders. Analyzing sound recordings reveals distinct vocal patterns of a particular bird species. The same technique is also used to identify bat species, monitor their seasonal emergence, and differentiate among individuals in tropical rainforests. Researchers also use frog calls to map local populations in a place where visual sightings might be difficult.

What might sound like background noise is a reminder of how urban wildlife adapts to human-dominated environments, and that in the wild corners of the campus, biodiversity thrives amidst the fast-paced city life and concretized jungle.

Philippine Nightjar photo by Anne Breechie
Written by Rinzen Gonzales

13/08/2026

Amidst the torrential downpour in Metro Manila, an unlikely visitor takes shelter near UP Hotel. 🦗

Part of UP Diliman’s nighttime chorale, the two-spotted cricket (/Gryllus bimaculatus/) is introduced in the Philippines, likely because it is traded as one of the most popular food items for pet animals like spiders and reptiles. True to its name, bimaculatus means “two-spotted” where adults feature two distinct yellowish spots right behind their heads.

Students, faculty, and visitors might encounter this critter this rainy season as rain typically floods the field they inhabit, forcing them to disperse to higher and drier ground - finding their way to classrooms and even hotels. Like many nocturnal insects, they are attracted to bright light like from bulbs, luring them closer to human settlements.

If you are greeted by these visitors, let them be or gently lead them back outside! Two-spotted crickets are harmless to humans. As the monsoon season continues, expect a few more wild encounters from the UP wild.

Photo by Mitch Santillan
Written by Rinzen Gonzales

10/08/2026

Looking for a good windbreak?
One that will not easily topple over during typhoon-strong winds?

Check this out!

06/08/2026

We’ve been getting a lot of questions about the UP Laguna-Quezon Land Grant, particularly on birdwatching there. So to entice you to visit the place, here are some top shots of birds we found at the Land Grant!

At the deeper parts of the area, the calls of the Rufous Hornbills are still reverberating across the mountains, and we were so lucky to see a family!

Under the canopy, the repeating woot-woo calls of the White-eared Brown-dove remind you that you are never alone in the forest.

Quiet but loud visually with its striking pink plumage, this Philippine Dwarf Kingfisher was bobbing its head up and down, as if experiencing hiccups but is actually refocusing its vision!

Then a knock ---- someone’s coming??? Oh, it was just the Luzon Flameback working on getting grubs under the bark of the tree.

These are just some of the many birds found in the area. Aside from birds, other wildlife such as frogs and mammals are thriving.

If you want to visit, you can get in touch with them UP Sierra Madre Land Grants or via email [email protected]. They have very nice cottages and catering services if you want to stay overnight, too!

Amazing photos by Ana Alcantara. Thanks for sharing!

31/07/2026

LB peeps - a bird walk is happening there! Don't miss this!

Do you want to kick off the semester with a birdwatching adventure? 🐦

Join us this Sunday for a morning birdwatching walk along the IRRI Staff Housing, where we'll look for native and endemic birds at the foothills of Mt. Makiling.

📍 Venue: IRRI Staff Housing
📅 Date: August 2 (5:30 AM)

Register here to join:
https://forms.gle/o9avGDt5cRzR26RW6

Beginners are more than welcome! No prior birdwatching experience is needed; and binoculars will be available for rent.

Come enjoy nature, meet fellow bird enthusiasts, and start the semester on a high note.

See you, birders! 🐤

30/07/2026

Hisss~

While in UP Laguna-Quezon Land Grant, our guide found this Smooth-scaled Mountain Rat Snake (𝑃𝑡𝑦𝑎𝑠 𝑙𝑢𝑧𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑠), an endemic snake found in Luzon and some islands in the Visayas! As their name implies, they are usually found in elevated regions, usually between 250-1000 meters above sea level. This little fella is still a juvenile, and has a ways to go before reaching adulthood.

Before you get scared, they are non-venomous and harmless to humans. Their preferred prey are small vertebrates, like rodents and frogs. They are an integral part of the food chain, as they help control the prey population, but they are also a documented food source for the Philippine Eagle population in Northern Luzon.

If you see one while hiking in the mountains, remember to keep a respectful distance and let them live their best life! 🐍

28/07/2026

This is the Spotted Wood Kingfisher (𝐴𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑜𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑠 𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑠𝑎𝑦𝑖), seen during our field work in the UP Laguna Quezon Land Grant!

It is a forest kingfisher, primarily preying on insects, snails, lizards rather than fish. It is endemic to the Philippines, and in fact it's restricted to several islands only, such as Luzon, Catanduanes, Panay, and Negros. They are not easily seen due to their habit of staying still in dense foliage, however, this one was kind enough to perch out in the open for a photo.

Males have a blue supercilium (a strip of colour above a bird's eye) and moustache, while females have green ones. Can you tell if the one in our picture is male or female?