'Born to be Wild' celebrates 15 years with two-part anniversary special

For years, veterinarians Doc Ferds Recio and Doc Nielsen Donato have been traveling around the Philippines to document the wildlife.

On its 15th anniversary, GMA Network’s wildlife, nature, and conservation program “Born to Be Wild” presents the two part-special “Born to Be Kings.” Doc Ferd and Doc Nielsen, together with the Born team, travel to the Northern and Southern parts of the country and search for the animals that rule their species—the kings of their world.

Doc Ferds treks the mountain range of Mt. Kitanglad in Bukidnon, Mindanao to have a glimpse of the juvenile Philippine Eagle named Pamarayeg III. Equipped with powerful lenses, the Born team traverses the jungle for four hours to find the almost extinct bird, with only 400 pairs left in the wild. For the first time on Philippine television, viewers will see the closest shots of a Philippine Eagle.

“Although very challenging ‘yung pag akyat namin para makuhanan itong si Pamarayeg, ‘yung rewards naman na binigay nito sa amin is incomparable,” shares Doc Ferds.

Doc Nielsen, on the other hand, spent 10 days at Burakot's territory in Dunoy Lake in San Mariano, Isabela. Several species of crocodiles are already vulnerable and decreasing in numbers and one of them is the endemic Philippine crocodile or “Burakot.” When the sun rises, these reptiles are seen basking—enjoying the day’s heat, but they are not spared from threats as they are critically endangered.

The team carefully filmed how the Burakots thrive in an area they share with humans. They also meet the people behind the Mabuwaya Foundation, who spent years researching, protecting, and conserving the Philippine Crocodile by ensuring the eggs of future Bukarot kings are free from harm.

Doc Nielsen reveals that the program helps him as a veterinarian. “Born is the one that keeps me sane. Ang pagiging isang beterinaryo ang isa sa [may] pinaka matinding stress na nararamdaman, dahil bukod sa pasyente is grabe yung attachment ng owner doon sa pet kaya you have to tend to two individuals. After the shoot, ganado na ulit akong bumalik sa clinic,” he says.

This November 20 and 27, gather your family for a morning of bonding time in the two-part 15th anniversary special of Born to Be Wild: Born to be Kings, 9 a.m. on GMA Network. Kapuso abroad can watch it via GMA Pinoy TV.

For more updates, visit www.gmanetwork.com