Our team chose this challenge because we want to learn how a wildlife sanctuary is affected my the current pandemic. This study mainly focusing the Philippine National Bird, the Haribon or Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) a critically endangered species of eagle which can only be found in the Philippine archipelago. We are inspired to create a significant study that could address the current situation of this birds and how they are affected by the decrease number of human traffic in their sanctuary. This passion is inate to us, for we are Eagle Scouts in the scouting movement. The same rank as our well loved Astronaut Sir Neil Armstrong. We use the space agency data as our guide in studying the impact of covid-19 to the economic stability and the environment of the wildlife sanctuary located in the Philippines. We use NASA's Covid-19 Data Pathfinder. The problem that our team encounters as we are dealing with this study are internet speed instability that makes our study and conversations difficult and difficulties in dealing with the Space Apps information, specially those that are requiring high level of technology skills. However, we did not stop, instead, we continue our study because we have this faith to understand the situations around us and we know, somehow, this study could bring significant use in the future events. We believe in science.

Project Agila

-agila (Filipino term for Eagle)

The start of coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is an issue of human health and safety. People change their common everyday routines and government do all necessary patterns to contain and avoid the spread of the virus. Thus, community quarantine and social distancing measures have been implemented around the world. Non-essential business closed and the number of people on the road is lower than normal. Due to this drastic alteration in human behaviour, changes in the environment are beginning to occur. Air pollution caused by vehicles drastically lower than usual. Nature seems to heal itself and according to NASA, satellite images found decreases in one air pollutant: carbon dioxide emission (NASA Covid-19 Data Pathfinder).

This changes of human behaviour affects greatly on economy, on private sectors and non-government organization owned companies and foundations. One example of this affected foundations is the Philippines’ well known “Philippine Eagle Foundation” faces severe problems as a result of this pandemic. When the lockdown starts, stretches on for three months, zookeepers and conservationists are digging deep into their dwindling savings to keep the animals in their care alive and the Philippine Eagle is one of the many. According to Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) the only organization working to keep this birds from becoming extinct, there are only 400 pairs of Philippine Eagle left in the world and are now facing the risk of extinction. This risk is due to financial instability. The foundation is a private non-profit and relies primarily on admission fees and donations for its upkeep. “With this temporary closure, we’re losing our largest source of funds, putting the animals in our care at risk.”- PEF’s statement to Esquire Philippines. Right now the foundation has reached out to the public for donations so they can buy the proper food for the critically endangered animals in their facility.

In view of this crisis, governments and private outreach join hand in hand in combating this pandemic so human civilization continue to exist. However, in this hard time of survival, we should taste a victory that leaves no one behind and this should include the Philippine Eagle and all other critically endangered animals affected by the same pandemic. Government has a mandate to secure its people and all living organism in its territory. To make this in a reality, governments should stretch out help to all critically endangered animal’s conservation organizations and foundations. To keep the balance of our ecosystem is to keep all living organism in it alive. A significant act for the hope of humanity.

Please visit the link below: 
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1sToMU9U41cT_OTJRIyI7Q0gSoJEuOm7QPe25_LZLM6g/edit?usp=sharing

NASA, NASA COVID-19 DATA PATHFINDER, PHILIPPINE EAGLE FOUNDATION, ESQUIRE PHILIPPINES.