Tamaraw sightings in Occidental Mindoro town boost habitat protection
CITY OF CALAPAN—Local officials in Santa Cruz town, Occidental Mindoro, are intensifying efforts to protect upland ecosystems following renewed indications that the critically endangered tamaraw may still inhabit parts of the municipality’s mountainous areas.
The tamaraw (Bubalus mindorensis), a dwarf buffalo endemic to Mindoro, has fewer than 600 individuals left in the wild, most of them in Mounts Iglit-Baco Natural Park.
The species remains threatened by hunting, habitat loss, and disease despite ongoing conservation programs, such as the Tamaraw Conservation Program.
Aina Krizia Sy, acting municipal environment and natural resources officer, said the initiative is part of the local government’s broader push for biodiversity conservation and sustainable resource management.
Mayor Ernesto Torreliza, in a statement, said the municipality is coordinating with partner agencies to protect its natural resources amid the possible continued presence of tamaraws.
Site verification
He said the local government is working toward declaring the “Inner Landscapes of Santa Cruz” a protected area, especially after reports that the species may still be surviving there.
“Our mountains are important not only to our indigenous communities but to all residents of Santa Cruz. Since these areas fall under our jurisdiction, we are exploring ways to properly protect and manage them,” Torreliza said in Filipino.
The municipal government joined a site verification activity from March 21 to March 28 in selected upland areas. The activity aims to confirm the continued presence of tamaraws in the municipality.
It was conducted with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Tamaraw Conservation Program Office (DENR-TCPO), the Mindoro Biodiversity Corridor, the Thriving Together with Tamaraw initiative led by Re:wild with the D’Aboville Foundation and Mindoro Biodiversity Conservation Foundation Inc., and local groups, including the Samahan ng Santa Cruz at Sablayan Mangyan Alangan and the Kapwan Gubat Farmers Association.
Officials said the proposed “Inner Landscapes of Santa Cruz” conservation area would help protect critical wildlife habitats while recognizing Indigenous ancestral domains. Land use in the area would prioritize conservation, with destructive activities, such as mining, prohibited.
Authorities stressed that upland protection is vital for both biodiversity conservation and disaster risk reduction.
“The condition of our mountains is felt in our plains and seas,” according to the local government, underscoring ecosystem interdependence.
The DENR-TCPO reported stronger evidence of tamaraw presence in the area.
“There was a confirmed population in the area before but only hoof marks were seen before,” said Efren delos Reyes, officerin charge of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office and concurrent DENR-TCPO coordinator.
He added: “Now, it was further confirmed because a wallowing area was seen and actual footage of the tamaraw has been captured.”
