The iconic insects that give bioluminescent light—fireflies—may soon face extinction, according to the study posted online by Bioscience of Oxford Academic.
The major factor to be blamed for its population decline is that they are now considered an ecotourism attraction in many countries worldwide.
The following list are the reasons presented on why Fireflies with almost 2,000 species may soon be gone: first is the habitat loss due to many developments such as real estate construction and industrialization, light pollution due to exposure to artificial lights, pesticide use that use in many farms, over-collecting, water pollution and climate change.
The City Tourism Office of Puerto Princesa is not bothered with the said study as it has four active firefly-watching tours in different areas of the City, and the insects are in good harmony with nature and community.
Assistant City Tourism Officer Demetrio Alvior said these insects are still in a place with good air and nature. It’s still at its best since there’s no need to worry about the said report.
“For Puerto far pa ang ganyang scenario, yung mga area nila protected pa rin, ang daming Fireflies dito kahit gabi lumabas ka lang ng bahay may makikita ka na,” Alvior said.
The four sites that offer fireflies-watching tours in the City are the Ketu-Ketu in Sitio Tagbato in Brgy. Salvacion, the Sitio Nagsaguipe formerly Elsa Park in Brgy. Sta. Cruz, the Maoyon River in San Carlos, and the suspended Iwahig Firefly Watching, which was temporarily closed to the public due to some legal issues with the Department of Justice.
The study entitled “A Global Perspective on Firefly Extinction Threats” was presented by Sara Lewis and other researchers who gathered data from different regions of America, Europe, and Asia.
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