DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 16 Nov) – Renowned veterinarian Dr. Roberto Puentespina Jr. passed away on November 15 due to an illness, his wife Olive confirmed.
Olive, an artisan cheesemaker, said that her husband passed away around 10 p.m. Monday at a private hospital here.
The 57-year-old “Dr. Bo” is known for his weekly “Malagos Bird Show” at the family-owned Malagos Garden Resort in Baguio District, Davao City.
For 17 years, Dr. Bo used the bird show as his medium in promoting awareness in environment protection and climate change mitigation.
He employed different bird species in his interactive bird show to promote awareness on environment protection, more particularly on wildlife conservation.
Regarded as among the pioneers of wildlife veterinary in Mindanao, Puentespina had contributed in the conservation effort in saving the critically endangered Philippine Eagle since the early 1990s.
Dennis Salvador, executive director of the Philippine Eagle Foundation, acknowledged Puentespina’s contribution in saving the Philippine Eagle, especially in providing medical services.
Salvador added that Puentespina had helped nurse injured eagles back to health that allowed them to be released back to the wild.
Fellow veterinarian Bayani Vandenbroeck said that the industry is saddened by the passing of Puentespina as they recognize his efforts at wildlife conservation.
Vandenbroeck admitted that Puentespina was one of his mentors during the early days of his career, not just on companion animal practice but also as wildlife veterinarian.
He added that there are many other veterinarians whom Puentespina had inspired to save wildlife and fight for the environment. (MindaNews)