Conservation Progress for the Philippine Endemic Tamaraw

Blueprint

ASSESS

In 1979, Philippine authorities launched the Tamaraw Conservation Program (TCP) as a banner initiative of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The programme is dedicated to protecting the Tamaraw and its habitat. Rangers were recruited and deployed to conduct regular patrols in all the known sites where Tamaraw were present. In 1996, the Philippines hosted a Tamaraw Population Habitat and Viability Assessment (PHVA) workshop. To address data gaps, the DENR started an annual population count, using a standardised multi-vantage point count method. This count focussed on the largest remaining subpopulation of Tamaraw, located within Mounts Iglit-Baco Natural Park.

Since 2010, several NGOs have been supporting the TCP by launching a series of verification surveys across the entire island of Mindoro and determining the exact range of the species. The main highlight of this survey was discovering a substantial subpopulation in a remote location outside protected areas. The survey estimated the total number of Tamaraw could be as high as 600 individuals (including young age classes) distributed over less than 10,000 hectares in four known isolated patches across Mindoro. In addition to the survey, varying approaches were launched to more specifically understand the current threats and constraints hampering recovery of the species island-wide.

PLAN

Results from the population survey show that all Tamaraw subpopulations are fragile, at high risk of vanishing, and require proper conservation strategies. Most of all, their long-term conservation requires the full integration and support of the indigenous communities who are sharing their living space with the species. In December 2018, a new PHVA workshop was organised for this purpose: gathering local stakeholders, indigenous communities, authorities, NGOs, and international partners in Mindoro for three days. The workshop was conducted under the guidance of the IUCN SSC Conservation Planning Specialist Group (CPSG) and ended with the creation of a 10-year Tamaraw Conservation and Management Action Plan that was adopted by the DENR. The plan set specific conservation goals for each subpopulation as well as an overall island-wide strategy to include meta-population management to foster gene flow between the isolated subpopulations if needed. This plan also includes an objective to assess the relevance and feasibility of supplementing the wild with an ex situ programme as a complement to in situ actions.

ACT

The workshop set guidelines for several actions while helping increase support to ongoing initiatives. In the past, grass burning before the annual count facilitated visibility and attracted animals to new grass shoots. For future population counts, grassland burning will be phased out due to detrimental environmental effects, creating opportunity for a habitat restoration plan to take place. Concurrently, several alternative monitoring techniques are being tested at Mounts Iglit-Baco Natural Park, with three pilot operations conducted in 2020 and 2021. A distance sampling protocol combined with a double observer method is providing promising results. Starting in 2020, camera trap technology is being used to monitor occupancy of two different sites with very small Tamaraw subpopulations until 2022.

In 2019, SMART technology was introduced and rangers were trained using CyberTracker handheld data capturing devices, in order to improve patrolling efficiency. This was the first step toward a goal of capacity building for law enforcement officials and local stakeholders using wildlife crime prevention science as a basis for action and reaction. In 2021, a disease risk assessment was implemented with the guidance of the Zoological Society of London. Once completed, this will inform the feasibility study for potential Tamaraw translocation and captive breeding.

Finally, thanks to increasing support from the international community, substantial resources are being allocated to mediate between Tamaraw conservation goals and livelihoods of the indigenous communities who share this habitat. Through a bio-cultural landscape approach, better ties are being built with the indigenous groups whose ancestral domain overlaps with the boundaries of Mounts Iglit-Baco Natural Park and the largest Tamaraw subpopulation. This growing relationship enables experts to collect precious data on land use practices and traditional hunting systems.

Results

The annual count has provided substantial data on the population dynamic of the species. The result of the count shows 427 individuals in 2021, a significant increase over two decades from the 154 animals estimated in 2000. This is clear evidence of successful protection in the region. Rangers are being trained to plan and implement various monitoring techniques, and continually adapt them to the habitat differences of the subpopulation they aim to monitor. For example, in Mounts Iglit-Baco Natural Park, indicators of species abundance may be the most appropriate way to monitor the population for the future. Distance sampling does not disturb the ecosystem while natural vegetation is restored.

Concurrently, tribal leaders of the concerned indigenous communities are willing to increase the strict protection zone for Tamaraw under tribal customary laws. This action would give more space for the species and reduce human-wildlife conflict. It is a positive sign toward the harmonisation of objectives between the government and indigenous peoples’ rights. Initial results from the camera trap study in a small Tamaraw subpopulation outside protected areas reveals that the species is still present and reproducing. This information will strengthen the argument for that area to become “Critical Habitat,” one of the DENR categories deserving specific protection.

Visual & Audio References

©Emmanuel Schutz

Collaborations

Major
Partners

Philippines Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Tamaraw Conservation Program

Protected Area Management Office, Mounts Iglit-Baco Natural Park

Protected Area Management Board

Biodiversity Management Bureau (DENR BMB)

IUCN SSC Asian Wild Cattle Specialist Group

Re:wild

Additional
Contributors

IUCN SSC Conservation Planning Specialist Group; Center for Conservation of Tropical Ungulates; The Biodiversity Finance Initiative Philippines; Mindoro Biodiversity Conservation Foundation Inc; WWF Philippines; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (France); Zoological Society of London; UK Aid – DARWIN Initiative; University of Santo Tomas (Philippines); Protected Area Management Office Mt. Calavite Wildlife Sanctuary; Far Eastern University; Center for Conservation Innovations; NOE (France)

Donors

Zoologiche Gesellshaft für Arten and Populationschutz e. V.; Mohamed Bin Zayed Conservation Fund; Association Française des Parc Zoologiques; Berlin Tierpark; Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Garden; Phoenix Zoo – Arizona Center for Nature Conservation; Chester Zoo; San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance; Wildlife Reserves Singapore; Prince Bernhard Nature Fund; National Geographic Society; Mandai Nature; DARWIN Initiative – UK AID