British-born Philippine wildlife conservationist and artist passes away

 

Wildlife conservationist William Oliver passed away on Wednesday, September 10, while confined at the Medical Intensive Care Unit of the Makati Medical Center.

 

Errol Gatumbato, Vice President and Managing Director of Philippines Biodiversity Conservation Foundation, Inc. (PBCFI), told GMA News Online through text that Oliver died due to a heart attack, saying he was "very ill" during the past few months.

 

"I really don't have specific details, but he was quite weak. We can have details once we secure his death certificate," he said.

 

PBCFI president Rafael L. Coscolluela wrote in a statement that Oliver refused to rest and seek treatment over the past year due to work.

 

Coscolluela said Oliver was working on plans for a new Biodiversity Conservation and Education Center at the Panaad Park and Sports Complex in Bacolod City at the time of his death.

 

Oliver relaunched the Philippine Hornbills Conservation Program with PBCFI in 2013, and predicted the same year that yet another species of the Philippine hornbill may go extinct if they lose more habitat.

 

Apart from his work as a conservationist, he is also known for his wildlife art. His "Only in the Philippines" series, featured by the PBCFI in 2011, depicted various Philippine endemic species such as the Philippine Spotted Deer, Negros Bleeding Heart Pigeon, and the Visayan Warty Pig.

 

 

Meanwhile, his posters for the Philippine species of hornbills were re-featured during the 6th International Hornbill Conference held at Manila in 2013.  

 

The British conservationist also worked with the Philippine Reef and Rainforest Conservation Foundation, West Visayas State University and Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau before his death.

 

The British conservationist also worked with the Philippine Reef and Rainforest Conservation Foundation., West Visayas State University and Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau before his death. — TJD, GMA News