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8 19 Danny BeleteThere's truth when conservationists and scientists tag the Philippines particularly its mountains as home of endemism.

In fact, a new species of shrew-like mouse has been discovered in the mountains of Davao Oriental. The said rodent is distinct through its dark brown hair with soft, dense fur, small eyes and ears and a long, tapering nose like a shrew.

"That DNA study demonstrated that the new mouse was not related to the species up in the northern Philippines, but instead was related to species from Mindanao," says Dakota Rowsey, the study's first author, vertebrate collections manager at Arizona State University, and research associate at the Field Museum.

The Philippine-endemic rodent was named Baletemys kampalili, a combined Greek word “mys” which means mouse and “Balete,” in honor of the late Filipino field biologist Danilo S. Balete who is also known for his astounding contribution to Philippine mammal's taxonomy and conservation.

The pride of having rich biodiversity also comes with a responsibility to maintain its sustenance. And to keep our widlife species means keeping them and their habitat safe. If it's not for conservation purposes, let's refrain from hunting and disturbing them.