Manila: The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has joined forces with Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) to strengthen conservation initiatives for the critically endangered tamaraw, a species of dwarf buffalo native to Mindoro.
According to Philippines News Agency, during a ceremony held at the DENR office in Quezon City, TMP formally handed over a Tamaraw vehicle along with 30 Bantay Tamaraw kits to assist the DENR in their conservation efforts. The partnership aims to enhance the mobility, safety, and operational capacity of the conservation teams, particularly the rangers who are tasked with patrolling the remote regions of Mindoro.
In her remarks, DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga emphasized the significance of this collaboration, stating that the turnover of essential equipment and the vehicle symbolizes a renewed commitment to safeguarding the country's biodiversity in partnership with international allies. Loyzaga highlighted that the vehicle will be instrumental in supporting field missions within the Mounts Iglit-Baco Natural Park (MIBNP), which is the primary habitat for the tamaraw.
The Bantay Tamaraw kits provided include protective gear, camping essentials, and field monitoring devices to aid the rangers. Loyzaga acknowledged the dedication of the Bantay Tamaraw, which consists of individuals from local communities and indigenous groups, who often work in challenging and risky conditions to protect the species and their habitats.
The traditional intensive concentration count conducted from March 25 to April 1 at MIBNP has initially estimated the tamaraw population to be around 351. The DENR estimates that the overall tamaraw population across Mindoro ranges from 574 to 610. This count serves as a crucial baseline to assess the current population of the tamaraw.
Ongoing efforts by the DENR include the Double Observer Point Count and the Double Observer Distance Sampling of dung within the protected area. These methods aim to refine population estimates and monitor trends in tamaraw numbers with greater accuracy.
Besides MIBNP, confirmed tamaraw populations are also found in the Aruyan-Malati Tamaraw Reservation in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro; Mt. Calavite Wildlife Sanctuary in Paluan, Occidental Mindoro; and the Upper Amnay Tamaraw Habitat spanning Occidental and Oriental Mindoro. Despite positive signs of population distribution, the tamaraw remains critically endangered, facing threats such as poaching, habitat loss, and climate change.
Loyzaga also mentioned that the DENR plans to install a Global Positioning System tracker on the donated vehicle to enhance monitoring and optimize conservation deployment. She stressed the need to move beyond preservation efforts and focus on rebuilding the tamaraw population through future breeding initiatives.
