Tamaraw population survey and current status

Transcription

Tamaraw population
survey and current status
Emmanuel Schütz
Program Coordinator - Philippines
Project report - October 2015
Tamaraw Program - Conservation and Enhancement of the
Natural Heritage of Mts Iglit-Baco National Park
Acknowledgments
The team of Noé Conservation and its project coordinator for the Tamaraw Program, Mr Schütz
Emmanuel, wish to acknowledge all the people and partners who have been supporting and promoting
the Program and helped to implement the activities in the field:
The D'ABOVILLE Foundation, as our main NGO partner in the Philippines, has provided convenient
working conditions in its office of Makati. Its President, Mr. Hubert d'Aboville has devoted all his
influence, network and energy to develop and promote our common goals and vision.
The Tamaraw Conservation Program (TCP), as our main local institutional partners for implementing
objectives in the field, has provided crucial assistance and technical support. Many workshops and
meetings were held in the TCP office in San Jose (Occidental Mindoro). Its staff have provided precious
information and devoted important time to coordinate all the field activities related to the Program. Its
coordinator, Mr Rodel M. Boyles has shared his vision and thoughts about Tamaraw conservation. His
assistance was essential to gather the requested agreements and properly conduct the objectives.
The Park's rangers show impressive work, kindness and devotion to the conservation of Tamaraw.
Their experience and skills are of crucial importance to achieve this task. The rangers involved in the
project activities have proven their strength, patience and abilities while ensuring the logistic and
security during the exploration missions.
The Provincial Government of Occidental Mindoro, through its Governor, Mr. Mario G. J. Mendiola,
should also be acknowledged for the institutional support and direct contribution (through food and
supply) to the Program. Their vision for the future of Mindoro and agro-tourism development plan,
match the vision and objectives of the Tamaraw Program.
The Mindoro Biodiversity Conservation Foundation (MBCFi) has provided precious advices and
expressed its willingness to develop further partnerships. Project Development and Resource Manager,
Mr Don Geoff E. Tabaranza has shared relevant biological knowledge by taking part in one of the
exploration as well as in consultation processes for management plans.
Asiatype Philippines team has provided its time and skills to work on the project maps.
The ABS-CBN Foundation (Bantay Kalikasan Program) who has taken part in the annual counting
operation in 2014. They have released a high quality footage about the Tamaraw and the program:
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ELrr0o0VS8&feature=youtu.be).
Field Mission Report – Tamaraw Program / Noé – October 2015
1
Executive summary
The island of Mindoro in the Philippine Archipelago is considered as a biodiversity “hotspot” and
important center for endemism. It is importantly home to the tamaraw (Bubalus mindorensis), a dwarf
buffalo solely endemic to the island and the only wild cattle species living in the Archipelago.
Originally widespread across the island, the tamaraw has suffered from heavy hunting and continuous
habitat destruction during the last century. It has gradually been confined within the mountainous
interior of the island. The species is now listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of
threatened species.
As of today, three subpopulations of tamaraw are known to survive on Mindoro; Mt. Calavite Wildlife
Sanctuary subpopulation in the north, Aruyan-Malati Tamaraw Reservation and Mts. Iglit-Baco National
Park located in the center of the island. Nevertheless and despites conservation efforts and its
protected status, the best chance for tamaraw survival seems to be more and more limited to the so
called "core zone of the monitoring", which concentrate most of the conservation efforts. This area
covers less than 16 000 hectares at the south-west edge of Mts Iglit-Baco National Park. Situation
elsewhere is unclear or critical.
Mindoro is also the Ancestral land of the Indigenous People (IPs) called Mangyan and original
inhabitants of the island. They have been progressively pushed toward the mountainous interior due to
lowlander settlers coming from other provinces. Somehow, they have followed the same entrenchment
pattern than the tamaraw. Some Mangyan communities are already well connected with lowlander
Mindorenos while other tribes remain very elusive maintaining traditional lifestyle, their subsistence
being based on natural resources and slash and burn agriculture.
Mangyan tribes are preserving their cultural identity thanks to the progressive "Philippines Indigenous
People Right Act" (IPRA, 1997). Nevertheless, their knowledge, customs and vision are not well
understood, thus preventing a peaceful, consistent integration toward long term land management.
They are highly dependent upon the preservation of natural resources of the Inner Mindoro Mountains
for their subsistence. Moreover, most of their territories stretch on the natural range of the tamaraw.
They are therefore the main stakeholders connected to the species conservation and environmental
issues on Mindoro. The boundaries and recognition of their Ancestral Domain is on process.
Since 2012, the French non-profit organization Noé Conservation, in partnership with local NGOs (the
D'ABOVILLE Foundation, MBCFi), public and private partners (Provincial Government of Occidental
Mindoro, Asiatype Philippines, ABS-CBN Foundation) and the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources in the Philippines (DENR), is developing a long term socio-environmental program on
Mindoro. The "Tamaraw Program – Conservation and Enhancement of the Natural Heritage of Mts
Iglit-Baco National Park" aims at implementing consistent solutions to save the Tamaraw in the wild
while respecting the residing human population and improving their livelihoods. The program focuses its
efforts on the two adjoining subpopulations of Mts Iglit-Baco National Park and Aruyan-Malati Tamaraw
Reservation.
As part of the first component of the Program (improvement of knowledge about the park’s
biodiversity and its natural and socio-cultural context), two key activities have been carried out:
a) Wide survey: Inner Mindoro exploration and tamaraw / habitat assessment
b) Close study: Ecological assessment of the two residing tamaraw subpopulations - core zone of
the monitoring and Aruyan-Malati Tamaraw Reservation
This document summarizes the results of these activities.
Eight exploration missions were carried out during the dry season (January to May) from 2012 to
2015 in order to assess the presence of tamaraw beyond the limits of the core zone of the monitoring.
Nearly 60 000 hectares of under-surveyed or un-monitored areas have been covered.
2
Besides, several meetings, workshops and consultations with the Park’s rangers and Mangyan tribal
leaders from residing communities have been carried out to assess the situation in the region and to
identify the main threats affecting wildlife nowadays.
These activities were consolidated and organized with data gathered by the Department of Environment
and the Park’s management since two decades. These activities have also greatly helped to gather
further information on the current situation regarding the natural habitat and the socio-cultural context of
the inner Mindoro Island.
Results show that the species is no longer present in many areas where it was still reported in recent
years. The Aruyan-Malati Tamaraw Reservation subpopulation, that once gathered a significant
population, is declining rapidly with a 60% decrease of the area of presence in the past two decades
and probably less than 12 remaining animals today. This subpopulation is in a critical situation.
Moreover, the area of presence of the species within the core zone of the monitoring (Mts IglitBaco National Park subpopulation) is progressively shrinking and may currently cover no more than
2000 ha (3% of the PA). No tamaraw have been assessed elsewhere within the Park.
Poaching activities from lowlander Mindorenos appears to be an important threat to wildlife and
substantial cause of disturbance within IPs’ territory and the Park itself. Mindoro warty pig and
Philippine brown deer are the main target but repeated cased of poaching on tamaraw have been
reported in the last years. In addition, traditional hunting by IPs, especially snare trap and pitfall trap
methods are a direct threat to tamaraw even if the species is not directly targeted.
Slash and burn agriculture is the main structuring factor of the natural environment in mid elevation
areas occupied by IPs. It creates a mosaic of habitats that can provide attractive places for wildlife.
However, the impact of such land use pattern might have reached a threshold due to the continuous
growth of the Mangyan population on the area of investigation. It might have become a hindrance for
the survival of tamaraw and detrimental for the natural environment.
In the current context, it is assumed that (a) the level of disturbance, (b) the shortage of safe places
and (c) the lack of connecting natural corridors are the main limiting factors restricting the
range of tamaraw. Animals are concentrating within the core zone of the monitoring, the last known
safety area for the species. 405 animals were counted within the area in April 2015 (269 in 2005). This
amount contrasts with the absence of the species elsewhere. Therefore, this restricted area shelters
nearly 96% of the whole tamaraw population of Mindoro
Thanks to the endeavor of the Park's rangers and the actions of the Philippine Government through its
banner program, the “Tamaraw Conservation Program”, a viable population of tamaraw still exists.
Nevertheless, the future of the species requires further efforts to go beyond the limits of the actual core
zone of the monitoring and to expand its area of presence to its most recent range, which consists in
areas currently occupied by Mangyans. Besides, AMTR subpopulation needs immediate protection
efforts to stop its decline. It is therefore crucial to (1) cope with the dramatic lack of law enforcement as
well as to (2) seek for innovative actions and integrated management solutions with respect to the
rights and subsistence needs of the indigenous population.
The Tamaraw Program combines a multi focal approach to tackle these challenges. As of now, Noé
Conservation has also carried out complementary activities to consolidate the scientific approach and
conservation efforts. The development of an innovative land-use co-management model, the
“Mangyan Tamaraw landscape” has been designed, proposed and endorsed by the local stakeholders
and the concerned communities. This shall push through the progressive establishment of a dedicated
ICCA (Indigenous Community Conserved Area) in the area of the core zone of the monitoring in order
to ensure wildlife conservation while preserving and respecting Mangyan rights and claims.
Besides, the project greatly support the efforts of the local stakeholders to proclaim the AMTR as
“Critical Habitat” and to reclassify MIBNP as “Natural and Biotic Area” in order to harmonize with the
NIPAS legislation and meet the social issue of this protected area.
3
Furthermore, communication and ecotourism development were important side objectives as part of
the third component of the program (creating incomes generating activities to sustain the Park’s
management and development); various media coverage, awareness / education events, and initial
collaboration with Tour Operators to launch trekking tours inside the Park were conducted.
Thus, the Tamaraw Program has already provided essential information and substantial results, but
must be continued to achieve its objectives aiming at developing and implementing a Park's
Management Plan and a Tamaraw Conservation Strategy, while generating incomes to sustain
conservation efforts.
It is crucial to complete the island-wide survey and to work further with indigenous people toward comanagement and ICCA establishment. It is also essential to involve new partners and develop
cooperation both with the public and the private sectors in order to reach sustainability and increase
global awareness.
Project activities were carried out and outcomes were achieved thanks to financial support from:
 The Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund (MBZ),
 Die Zoologische Gesellschaft für Arten- und Populationsschutz (ZGAP),
 The Provincial Government of Occidental Mindoro.
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List of acronyms
ADSDPP
Ancestral Domain Sustainable and Protection Plan
AMTR
Aruyan-Malati Tamaraw Reservation
ASAP
Asian Species Action Partnership
ASEAN
Association of Southeast Asian Nations
AWCSG
Asian Wild Cattle Specialist Group
BMB
Biodiversity Management Bureau
CENRO
Community Environment and Natural Resources Office
C.O.R.E.
Center for Outdoor Recreation and Expedition
CI
Conservation International
DENR
Department of Environment and Natural Resources
ICCAs
Indigenous and Community Conserved Areas
IPAF
Integrated Protected Area Fund
IPRA
Indigenous People Right's Act
IPs
Indigenous Peoples
IUCN
International Union for Conservation of Nature
KBAs
Key Biodiversity Areas
MBCFi
Mindoro Biodiversity Conservation Foundation
MIBNP
Mts Iglit-Baco National Park
NIPAS
National Integrated Protected Area System
NPA
New people's Army
PENRO
Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office
PBCFi
Philippine Biodiversity Conservation Foundation
SPPF
Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm
SSC
Species Survival Commission
TCP
Tamaraw Conservation Program
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Content
1. Background and objectives of the Tamaraw Program............................................................. 7
1.1. General context...............................................................................................................
7
1.2. Objectives of the Tamaraw Program.................................................................................
10
1.3. Vision of the Tamaraw program........................................................................................
10
2. Large scale survey: Inner Mindoro Exploration and Tamaraw / Habitat assessment…........ 11
2.1. Objectives, materials and method.....................................................................................
11
2.2. Results of the exploration missions..................................................................................
13
3. Close study: Ecological assessment of the core zone of the monitoring and the AruyanMalati Tamaraw Reservation subpopulations……………………………………..................... 24
3.1. Objectives, materials and method………………………………………………………………
24
3.2. Results of the studies……………………………………………………………………………… 25
4. Observations and discussion……………………………………………………………………........ 28
5. Conclusion and recommendations………………………………………………………………….. 35
6. Progress of the other objectives.........................................................................................
36
6.1. Component 2: Tamaraw Conservation Plan and PA Management Plan…………………….. 36
6.2. Component 3: Incomes generating activities and ecotourism development……………….. 36
Planned activities and objectives………………………………………………………………………. 38
References and sources of information.....................................................................................
40
List of appendix…………………………………………………………………………………………….. 41
Appendix 1: Land Cover Map edited by the DENR and used as base map for the project………. 42
Appendix 2: Results maps – Inner Mindoro exploration and Tamaraw / habitat assessment......... 43
Appendix 3: Results maps of the close study – Ecological assessment of MIBNP and AMTR
subpopulations……………………………………………………………………………… 48
Appendix 4: Table showing the cumulative results of the annual tamaraw population count
operation between 2000 and 2015 for the 17 vantage points – Core zone of the
monitoring – Mts Iglit-Baco National Park………………………………………………. 51
Appendix 5: General model for a Community / Stakeholders co-management Plan………………. 52
Appendix 6: Model for “mixed production/protection area” use - Time / Spatial mosaic of land
53
use pattern…………………………………………………………………………………...
Appendix 7: Result map of previous Tamaraw surveys according to the results of MBPC rapid
island wide survey 1998-99 with shifting and alternating use of plots………………... 54
6
1.
Background and objectives of the Tamaraw Program
The Tamaraw Program was initiated in November 2012 by the French non-profit organization Noé
Conservation. Its field project coordinator Mr Emmanuel Schütz, has been titled as "Species
Champion" for the Tamaraw by the Asian Wild Cattle Specialist Group (AWCSG) and the project is
supported by the Asian Species Action Partnership (ASAP) Initiative of the International Union for the
Conservation of Nature / Species Survival Commission (IUCN/SSC)
1.1. General context
Mindoro, biodiversity hotspot and sole home
of the Tamaraw
Mindoro island, the seventh island of the
Philippines by its size (9 375 km²), is considered
as a priority biodiversity “hotspot” for global
conservation and designated as an important
centre for endemic species (PBCFi, 1999).
Besides numerous endangered species, Mindoro
is the home of the tamaraw (Bubalus
mindorensis), a dwarf buffalo solely endemic
to the island and the only wild cattle species
living in the Archipelago.
Originally widespread across the island, the
tamaraw population has shrunk from 10,000
individuals in the early 20th century to only
about 400 animals nowadays. Over-hunting
habitat destruction and diseases transmitted by
domestic cattle are the main reasons for this
drastic decline.
The Park stretches over 75 445 hectares of rough
mountains in the south central part of the island.
The natural environment of this protected area is
dominated by grassland with patches of
secondary forest and remnant primary tropical
forest. The Park is the source of eight major
watersheds of crucial importance for the
inhabitants on both sides of the island.
Large areas of the Park were devoted to cattle
ranching until this activity declined due to
important epizooties in the 1970s.
This protected area is declared as “ASEAN
Heritage Park” (Association of Southeast Asian
Nation), and defined as a Key Biodiversity area,
(KBA) in the Philippines.
The Mangyans, original inhabitant of Mindoro
Mangyan is a collective term to designate the
indigenous people (IPs) found originally on
Mindoro. The Mangyans are divided into eight
ethno-linguistic groups with different languages
and customs.
Tamaraw in MIBNP
with crows © E.
Sarena
The tamaraw is the emblem of Mindoro and a
national conservation stake. Anyway, its ecology
is still poorly known and studied, while law
enforcement remains too weak to ensure its
protection on the long term.
Mts Iglit-Baco National Park (MIBNP) was
proclaimed by virtue in 1970, becoming an initial
component of the National Integrated Protected
Area System (NIPAS) in the Philippines. It is
currently defined as the last viable refuge of the
species.
Tao-buid
Mangyan of the
Balagit valley,
MIBNP © E.
Schütz
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The Park is located on the Ancestral Land of
four Mangyan groups, the Buhid, the Tau-buid,
the Alangan and the Bangon, who are actively
defending their traditional lifestyle. Nearly 10 000
people live in scattered communities within and
around the Park, some of which are very elusive.
Their subsistence is mostly based on hunting and
slash and burn agriculture (practice locally called
kaingin). They are highly dependent upon the
preservation of the natural resources of the
mountains.
There is still an important lack of information
and understanding about these communities,
their customs, habits, uses of the natural
resources and vision upon their land.
The Tamaraw, an alarming situation
As of today, only three subpopulations of
Tamaraw are known to survive on Mindoro
(figure.1).
The subpopulation on Mount Calavite Wildlife
Sanctuary (the furthest site in the North) had an
estimated of 15 individuals in 2004 based on
faecal matter and animal tracks (IUCN Red List
Assessment 2008). The population is assumed to
be much lower nowadays with no sightings since
several years. One track has been reported in
2014. This subpopulation suffers cruel lack of
monitoring and cases of poaching are highly
possible according to local reports.
The subpopulation of Mt. Aruyan-Malati
Tamaraw Reservation (Sablayan district), is
situated immediately adjacent to the Sablayan
Prison and Penal Farm (SPPF) on the west and
to the Kinarawan River on the east. The area is
characterized by its hilly landscape covered by
second growth forest and patches of grassland
vegetation. This subpopulation was considered
as significant in the 1980s, as the area served as
capture site of the tamaraws taken to the Gene
Pool Farm (20 animals captured between 1982
and 1995). The results of the field survey
conducted in 2007 by the TCP (Mt. Aruyan-Malati
Tamaraw Population Distribution Survey by R.M.
Boyles (unpublished)) assessed the presence of
16 animals scattered over 16 000 hectares of the
area of investigation. Despite its crucial
importance for tamaraw conservation, the AMTR
remains solely without legal proclamation for
effective protection and thus still prone to
resource and resource-use abuse.
The subpopulation of Mts Iglit-Baco National
Park is the largest, with 405 animals according to
the last Tamaraw population count (TCP report,
April 2015). This counted population is confined
within the so called « core zone of the
monitoring» where the annual count takes
place. This area benefits from regular rangers
patrol that ensure relative protection against
poaching and disturbance. The core zone of the
monitoring extends over nearly 16 000 ha around
the Iglit river at the foothills of Mt. Iglit. This vast
slightly hilly plateau is dominated by grasslands,
interspersed with numerous wooded creeks,
secondary forests and remnant patches of
tropical forest. It is situated at an average
elevation of 700 meters.
Furthermore, local Mangyan communities report
the presence of the species elsewhere with
possible remnant population and isolated animals
at the north side of the Park (Eagle Pass and
Amnay River) and around Mt Halcon Range, but
these information must still be verified.
Therefore, the total population size at early
stage of the project could be estimated at
around 420 animals.
Nevertheless, there is a lack of monitoring over
the whole potential range of the species. Until
2012, most of the interior of the island had never
been monitored neither by local stakeholders nor
by scientists, with large areas inside the Park
being totally un-surveyed.
The Tamaraw is classified as Critically
Endangered (CR) on the Red list of the IUCN
and defined as a priority of the Philippines
Development Plan 2011-2016.
Conservation
The “Tamaraw Conservation Program” (TCP),
a banner program of the Philippines Department
of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR),
is currently in charge of the monitoring and
protection of the Tamaraw since 1979.
Limited resources and general field constraints
have progressively pushed the TCP to
concentrate its efforts on both AMTR and MIBNP
subpopulations, and especially on the “core
zone of the monitoring”, (20 rangers are
assigned in the core zone and 2 at the AMTR).
This has been at the detriment of other areas that
lack proper monitoring and patrolling efforts.
8
Aside from the regular ranger’s patrols within the
core zone of the monitoring, the "Annual
Tamaraw Population Count", that takes place
every April since 2000, is currently the sole
regular monitoring operation conducted by the
TCP. The method relies on visual observations
that are facilitated by burning large grassland
areas ahead of the count, thus introducing a
substantial environmental impact and behavioral
bias to the animals.
Figure.1: Map of Mindoro Island showing the borders of Mts Iglit-Baco National Park and the location of the three
known remaining Tamaraw sub-populations
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1.2. Objectives of the Tamaraw Program
Through a multifocal approach, the Tamaraw Program aims at implementing all necessary
measures so that by 2025, Mts Iglit-Baco Protected Area ensures the preservation of its
biodiversity, the integrity of its ecosystems and the expansion of tamaraw population inside
and outside the Park, while respecting the residing human communities and improving their
livelihood.
The program focuses its attention on the two adjoining subpopulations (AMTR and MIBNP), thus
defined as the project area. It has been divided into three principle components outlining the main
missions and activities to be undertaken:
A. Improve knowledge about the Park’s biodiversity and its natural and socio-cultural context
A.1. Increase and update information on the conservation status and ecology of the tamaraw and
other threatened species of the region by implementing surveys, field studies and relevant
monitoring.
A.2. Improve information and understanding about the Mangyan indigenous communities living
within and around the protected area and their relationship with their environment, highlighting
their needs, wants and vision.
B. Define and implement a specific Tamaraw Conservation Plan and a proper Protected Area
Management Plan
B.1. Develop an operational integrated management plan and species conservation plan directing
the local stakeholders and the concerned Mangyan communities.
B.2. Reinforce local field capacities to implement both plans through skills training, ongoing
monitoring and innovative co-management model with IPs.
C. Develop incomes generating activities to guarantee the sustainability of the Park’s
management and its biodiversity conservation with respect to the indigenous communities.
C.1. Support the local stakeholders to build a legal framework addressing ecological, social/cultural
and governmental issues.
C.2. Develop ecotourism as a way to ensure sustainable financial means for the management of this
protected area while improving livelihood of rangers and local communities.
1.3. Vision of the Tamaraw Program
The program’s vision for the 10 to 20 upcoming years is:
Mts Iglit-Baco natural area is an exemplary model of protected area with great ecological
significance at national and international levels. Its integrated and sustainable management
ensures its commitment to preserve its biodiversity in accordance with the human
communities that live within its borders.
The Tamaraw is no longer listed as a Critically Endangered species.
10
2.
Large scale survey: Inner Mindoro exploration and Tamaraw / Habitat
assessment
2.1. Objective, materials and method
Targeted outputs
Several sessions of exploration have been
conducted in order to explore poorly known
and under surveyed areas of Mts Iglit-Baco
National Park and its surrounding natural
areas, thus pushing the monitoring beyond the
actual limits of the core zone of the monitoring.
The activity aimed at gathering essential baseline
data that are importantly needed to draft
recommendations for future Tamaraw ACTION
PLANS.
Specific objectives
This mission is part of the first component of the
Tamaraw Program, with the following specific
objectives:
 update the actual range of the tamaraw
within and around the Park and assess
the threats affecting the species and its
habitat,
 address the lack of information about
two other poorly studied ungulates, the
Philippines brown deer (Rusa marianna
barandana) (IUCN Red List category:
Vulnerable) and the Mindoro warty pig
(Sus oliveri) (IUCN Red List category:
Endangered),
 identify areas of recent historical
presence of the species and available
remaining suitable habitats,
 assess settlement of mangyans
inhabiting the area of investigation and
strengthen communication with the
communities,
 conduct a non-exhaustive biodiversity
survey,
 open and secure routes for further
tamaraw monitoring and biodiversity
survey.
Scope of investigation
The investigation area has been based on the
historical range of the species, the result of the
latest Island-wide Tamaraw Assessment (MBCPPBCFi, 1998), as well as reports from local
communities and past monitoring. It intended to
cover the entire surface of the Park on both
oriental and occidental sides and the lower
mountain range toward the west (Tusk peak,
Balagit valley, Kinarawan river watershed) and
the North (Mt. Sinclair and Mt. Patrick area).
Moreover, an important issue was to investigate
on the tamaraw population of Mt. Aruyan-Malati
Tamaraw Reservation and assess a possible
connection between this subpopulation and the
main population of MIBNP.
Methodology
Exploration missions have been realized during
the dry season when the rivers are at their lowest
levels. Missions intended to be as little intrusive
as possible for the tamaraw and the IPs, involving
only non-invasive techniques. Two methods were
used:
 field record of indirect signs of
presence such as observation of animals,
feces, tracks, remains or resting places,
with description of the habitat and GIS
position storage
 interviews of tribal leaders and
information gathered from indigenous
people encountered during field
exploration.
Ten missions of exploration were originally
planned. Areas with reports of tamaraw presence
in recent years (< 20 years) were primarily
selected. Prior consent of Mangyan tribal
leaders was acquired before entering their
territories.
11
Indirect sign of presence of Tamaraw (fresh dung)
attesting the presence of the species in the area of
exploration © E.Schütz
Rangers getting precious information from Mangyans
encountered during the Kinarawan watershed
exploration © E.Schütz
The exploration team was composed of:
 1 scientist / technician to collect data,
 1 or 2 team leaders, experimented
rangers from the TCP, to guide the group,
ensure security and manage the logistic,
 Porters to carry the supplies,
 Mangyans of the same ethnic groups than
the IPs living on the itinerary, as guide,
translator and mediator with isolated
communities,
 Additional participants among our project
partners such as biologists from the
Mindoro Biodiversity Conservation
Foundation (MBCFi), mountaineers from
the Center for Outdoor Recreation and
Expedition (C.O.R.E., Primer Group of
Companies) and technician from local DENR
Program coordinator E. Schütz, TCP field operation
assistant D. Roca, team leader C. Barcena and R.
Abuwac, and Mangyan TCP rangers discuss the
exploration route during a workshop at the TCP office
in San Jose, January 2014 © E. Schütz
Maps displaying the results are based on the
digitization of the "Land Cover Map" available in
paper and edited by the NIPAs Program in 2001
and using the NAMRIA-JAFTA (LANDsat TM,
1992) source of information (Appendix 1). Some
of the original information has been removed.
The map was slightly extended to the West in
order to highlight the river system, the Park's
borders and to cover the whole area of
investigation. This map can now be used for
future investigations and by other projects as
well. This work was done by Asiatype Philippines,
our local partner for mapping and geographical
data analysis.
Exploration team, from left to right: Tao-buid ranger, N.
Samson, Buid ranger G. Agman, ranger M. Encado,
Noé’s Project Coordinator E. Schütz and team leader
R. Abuwac © E.Schütz
offices (CENRO Roxas – Oriental Mindoro).
12
2.2. Results of the inner Mindoro exploration missions
Areas visited and mapping
Tamaraw Presence (Appendix 2, map 2)
Between January 2014 and March 2015, six
explorations have been carried out. They
completed the two preliminary explorations
performed in February 2012 and February 2013.
In total, 52 days were spent in the field. Nearly 60
000 hectares, within and outside the Park, have
been explored covering six major hydrographic
systems: Lumintao, Mongpong, Kinarawan,
Busuanga, Batangan rivers on Occidental
Mindoro and the Bongabong watershed on
Oriental Mindoro (appendix 2, map 1).
Signs of presence were easily found and
numerous animals spotted within the core zone of
the monitoring, with a clear decreasing density
from the heart (Magawang station) to the edge.
Two fresh tracks (footprints and dung) were
recorded on the Tangle creek and the upper Iglit
River near its junction with the Lumintao River
(Exploration 3). Their positions match exactly the
limits of the TCP monitoring area and rangers
patrolling routes. Except for a single bull spotted
outside the regular patrolling area (Abangan ck,
exploration 2), no tamaraw was reported beyond
the limits of the core zone of the monitoring
during the whole mission.
The mission has provided substantial geographic
information (name of rivers, creeks and
tributaries, valleys, IP settlements) that helps
complete or update the available data. The river
system was the main way to proceed toward the
interior of the island and move within the
mountainous landscape. Trails from indigenous
people were used to move between valleys when
encountered and convenient.
Group of 2 tamaraws near Magawang station in
MIBNP © E. Schütz
Temporary campsite at a creek during exploration ©
E.Schütz
In April 2014, the centre of Mindoro and north
east of the Park were put on high alert by the
Provincial Government due to an increase of
activity from the New People’s Army rebels
(NPA), following the arrest of their leaders by the
Philippine police on March 22, 2014. This event
has hindered the planning of the activity.
Therefore it was not possible to fully complete the
original objective of the mission; The North of the
Park must still be explored.
No sign of presence was found around
Nagbobong area (exploration 2), the lower
Balagit valley and the foothills of Mt. Iglit
(explorations 1 and 3). According to the Park's
rangers, tamaraw have progressively abandoned
some attractive pasturelands at the edge of the
TCP monitoring area, thus reducing the actual
extent of the species’ range.
During the 2012 mission (exploration 1), a fresh
track was found on the forested Balayod creek, a
tributary of the Kinarawan River, few hundred
meters from an abandoned IP cultivated plot. The
animal was considered to belong to the AruyanMalati Tamaraw Reservation subpopulation.
13
According to the interview of two tribal leaders
from Paglibuan and Kawayanan communities
within Mt. Aruyan-Malati area (exploration 7), at
least five tamaraw are still roaming the forested
hills up the Buayan creek, between the lower
Kinarawan river and the Malati river (Mt
Matoktok, Mt Malugon).
Additional animals are suggested according to
the focus group discussions activity (FGD)
conducted within the AMTR with several local
tribal leaders between April and July 2015 (see
part 3 – close study of the two subpopulations).
Thus the estimate AMTR subpopulation reaches
a maximum of 10 to 12 animals.
The Kinuala area is a vast slightly hilly plateau
dominated by grasslands, interspersed with
narrow wooded creeks and delimited by higher
forested mountains. It is situated inside the Park
at an average elevation of 800 meters, upstream
of the Mongpong River, between the Iroboy creek
and the Bislang creek, at the foothills of Mt.
Sinclair. The Kinuala plateau shows a singular
similarity with the natural environment of the core
zone of the monitoring and attractive habitat for
tamaraw.
Mangyan from the Alangan group reported the
presence of tamaraw within the area less than a
decade ago whereas no sign of the species was
found during the field exploration in February
2014 (exploration 4). The same observation has
been made within the Mapad valley, which
connects the Kinuala plateau with the Ballagit
valley.
No sign of presence was found during the
mission connecting the core zone of the
monitoring with the Aruyan-Malati Tamaraw
Reservation (exploration 7). IPs, living in the hills
north of the Tusk Pic, on the upper Kinarawan
River, reported that no tamaraw has been seen in
this area for more than a decade. This confirms
the assumption that the subpopulation of the
AMTR has been isolated for many years
The valley of the Lumintao River, upstream
from the junction with the Iglit River, was mostly
unknown to the rangers until the exploration
mission in January 2014 (exploration 3). The
river, which presents a strong current at both dry
and rainy season, is surrounded by steep
mountains with a rather bare land profile. The
region proves to be unsuitable for tamaraw in
terms of habitat (steep hills, shortage of attractive
grasslands, and lack of water holes for wallowing,
limited patches of forest).
The climb of Mt. Wood (or Blue Mountain; 2052
m elevation), between the Busuanga and the
Batangan rivers (exploration 6) has confirmed the
absence of the species in this area whereas
tamaraw were still reported in the wooded hills
east of the summit until the early 1990s.
No signs of tamaraw were reported during the
Bongabong watershed exploration on Oriental
Mindoro (exploration 8). Tamaraw was assessed
on the upper Alid creek less than two decades
ago. Those evidences might correspond to
animals reported east of Mt Wood until the
1990s. Local Mangyan communities (Bangon
group) report a possible sighting of an isolated
animal in this area in 2015. It was not possible to
interview the remote tribes of the upper Masbong
River due to their shyness. Thus the recent or
current possible existence of the species was not
clearly assessed on the upper Bongabong area.
However, no sign of presence were collected.
Mts Iglit-Baco National Park is the largest
Protected Area of Mindoro. However not the
whole surface of the Park is suitable for the
tamaraw. According to the exploration missions,
most of the suitable habitats are situated at the
periphery, in areas of mid elevation.
The Kinuala plateau presents attractive habitats for
Tamaraw © E. Schütz
14
Significant results:
 Tamaraw has disappeared from many areas where it was still reported in recent years,
 The Aruyan-Malati Tamaraw Reservation subpopulation has been isolated for many years
and suffers a continuous decline since the last three decades.
 Valleys located in the center of the Park are not suitable for the species.
 The absence of the species is not clearly confirmed on the North- east part of the Park, while
some areas still need further survey or verification.
 The core zone of the monitoring probably shelters the last known viable population of
tamaraw and might represent the unique option for long term survival of the species.
Group of Tamaraw inside the core zone of the monitoring in Mts Iglit-Baco National Park © E.Schütz
Mindoro warty pig and Philippine brown deer
Both species can be found where tamaraw
survives but with a larger distribution range
(appendix 2, map 3 and 4).
Mindoro warty pig (Sus oliveri) was broadly
found within the area of investigation and was
reported at each exploration. However, no animal
have been observed directly. Tracks were spotted
in a various range of habitats (forest, river banks,
creeks, grassland, swamps, IP’s crops and forest
regeneration) from an elevation of 240m (lower
Bilog Sapa creek) up to 1360m (Mt. Talafo) and
1700 m (Mt. Wood). The species is quite common
in areas occupied by Mangyans. It was not
reported in the Lumintao valley, neither on its
Parasan creek tributary. Trails were visible on the
right bank of the upper Busuanga River.
IPs confirmed the presence of the species within
the Aruyan-Malati Tamaraw Reservation area,
around the Tusk Peak, Mt. Iglit, along the
Kinarawan River, the Mongpong River and their
tributaries, Mt. Tulala and the Siburan forest.
They also reported it within the Balagit and the
Mapad valleys whereas no track was found there.
It is also reported along the Busuanga river,
upstream the Gene Pool Farm. No track was
found along the Batangan River. The species is
still relatively common on the Bongabong
watershed, from the Alid ck up to the Masbang
River.
Inbreeding between the Mindoro warty pig and
domestic strains in Mangyan settlement is
possible. The rate of hybridization has not been
evaluated without any studies on this issue.
15
There is no good available picture of confirmed
pure Mindoro warty pig at present.
Picture of Mindoro warty pig caught by camera trap
near Magawang station © courtesy of TCP/WWF Ph
The Philippine brown deer (Rusa marianna
barandana) has a limited range in comparison
with the warty pig and becomes rare where IPs
settlements are dense. The specie can be seen
easily within the heart of the core zone, around
Magawang station, but in much lower density
than the tamaraw (deer accounts for less than
10% of the number of animals observed during
the annual tamaraw counts). The species
becomes more elusive outside the core zone.
Only three signs of presence were observed
during the exploration (appendix 2, map 4). One
track was found at the extreme edge of the core
zone, at the lower Iglit river (Tarzan area), near
the junction with the Lumintao River and beside a
track of tamaraw. One track was confirmed on the
forested bank of the Bislang creek, not far from
its junction with the Mongpong River. Possible
paths of brown deer were also detected in the
grassland on the mountain range between the
Busuanga River and the Parasan creek.
According to our local porters, there is no brown
deer on the hills along the Mongpong River.
Mangyan resident confirmed the presence of the
species within the Kinuala area up to the Mapad
valley. They also reported the presence of the
species on Mt. Iglit and the upper Kinarawan
River (Pampam area, Masunod area, Tusk peak).
Tribal leaders relate that the species is no longer
present within the Aruyan-Malati Tamaraw
Reservation area and the lower Kinarawan River.
The species is still supposed to be present along
the Alid creek but no animals have been seen by
local IPs in this area since several years. Our
local guide (community leader of the Bangon
tribes) confirmed the presence of the species
along the Bongabong River between the
Gynyang creek and the junction with the
Masbang River. Several tracks were seen in the
hills east of the Masbang River.
The Philippine brown deer can be considered as
rare on the whole area of investigation.
Philippines brown deer caught by camera trap the
core Magawang station © courtesy of TCP/WWF Ph
 The Mindoro warty pig is still quite common within the area of investigation and frequently
reported in areas occupied by IPs. However, hybridization is possible, making difficult to
assess the pure strand during surveys.
 The brown deer has a rather patchy distribution and avoids populated areas. Its density can
be considered as low on the whole range of the species except inside the core zone of the
monitoring.
16
Other wildlife
A large variety of species were encountered
during the explorations. No specific methodology
was used to exhaustively assess the biodiversity
besides the tamaraw, warty pig and brown deer.
Three tracks of civet (local name: musang) were
observed: one along a small creek in the Kinuala
area (800m elevation), one in the muddy soil of
the dwarf mossy vegetation on the summit of Mt.
Wood (2040 m elevation), and another one along
the Bongabong River. It was not possible to
distinguish whether it was the Philippine Palm
Civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus) or the Malay
Civet (Viverra tangalunga) which are both
reported on Mindoro.
Tracks of musang at
the summit of Mt.
Wood © E. Schütz
The
Philippine
Macaque
(Macacca
p.
Philippinensis) is known to wander in groups
within the core zone of the monitoring and the
hills around the Anahawin River. Elsewhere, the
species was mainly suggested thanks to monkey
traps set by IPs. Such traps (collar trap using
banana baits, cage traps, pit fall traps) were
observed within the AMTR, the Siburan forest, on
the upper Mongpong River the Parasan creek.
This social species is known to occur in the whole
area of investigation but the density of population
is unknown.
Trap for macaque using
banana baits, near the
Kinuala plateau © E.
Schütz
A large colony of giant fruit bats (> 1000
animals) nests on the wooded hill at the junction
of the Kinarawan River and the Bilog Sapa creek.
Two species are known to occur in this area
(MBCFi, pers. com.): the Large Flying Fox
(Pteropus vampyrus) and the Golden-crowned
Flying Fox (Acerodon jubatus). It is the only
colony of this size known within the area of
investigation.
Among other species of fauna, wild ducks, jungle
fowl, monitor lizards, various species of snakes,
batracians, reptiles, birds and invertebrates
(including fresh water crustacean…) have been
observed. It was not possible to determine
precisely every species. Some animals were
identified as non native species of Mindoro or of
the Philippines.
Turtle identified as
the Chinese softshell turtle
(Pelodiscus
sinensis), alien
invasive species,
caught in the
Bongabong River©
E. Schütz
 A large range of fauna was encountered including civets, macaques and giant fruit bats.
 Some traps set by IPs to catch some of those species were found, thus indicating the
presence of those species and their importance for Mangyan community subsistence.
 The Inner Mindoro Island is a rich place for flora and fauna, with endemic and rare species,
but needs further studies and updates.
17
Indigenous peoples (appendix 2, map 5)
The exploration routes were crossing territories of
the Tau-Buid, the Alangan, the Buid and the
Bangon groups. The mission brought information
that questions the initial assumption regarding the
socio-cultural context: Mangyans are indeed
more widespread with a larger population and
higher density than anticipated. Remote areas
that were supposedly empty were in fact
permanently or temporarily occupied. Their
influence on the natural environment has also
surprised the rangers.
and domestic animals such as pigs, chicken,
dogs and cats are progressively decreasing while
progressing toward the interior and at higher
elevation. At the extreme, some individuals live in
a very elusive manner in totally isolated spots
with few resources and no signs of connection
with the exterior (technology and products)
beside tobacco and machete.
Mangyan settlement within AMTR area showing high
huts on stilts to protect people and crops from floods
and rodents © E. Schütz
Mangyan settlement west of Mt Iglit © E. Schütz
Most of the time, the exploration team was not
really welcomed when entering a remote IP
settlement, even though Mangyan guides and
porters were part of the team. The reason put
forward by tribal leaders or IPs men were to avoid
scaring women and children “who are afraid by
clothes”. Thus, settlements were generally
crossed quickly with an IP man guiding the team
away.
The river system is the main mean of
communication used by Mangyans to connect the
mountainous interior with the lowland, for trade
and exchange purposes with other groups and
lowlander Mindorenos. In the mountains,
numerous clear paths highlight an intense
mobility of IPs and the interconnection between
communities.
Mangyans show a large heterogeneity
regarding land occupation and practices, with a
clear gradient while progressing further to the
mountainous interior. The most accessible
communities are well connected with lowlanders.
Plastic trashes that litter the ground is the most
obvious influence of the exterior. Presence of
water buffalo (carabao) for agriculture purposes
The whole watershed of the Kinarawan River is
occupied by Tau-Buid communities who preserve
a traditional lifestyle and an elusive existence
while presenting a complex social organization
and agricultural system. Their subsistence is
mostly based on slash and burn agriculture
(locally called kaingin), enhanced by hunting
activities. Sweet potato (kamote) and banana
plantations are the main crops, complemented
with cassava, taro, eggplant, papaya, chili as well
as mountain rice and tobacco. Wild honey is a
seasonal product in some areas.
Traditional
Mangyan basket to
harvest crops © E.
Schütz
These communities have little contact with the
exterior except for tribal leaders and adult men
who move out of their group for trading purposes,
or to take part in meetings and discussions with
other group leaders and Provincial authorities.
18
The west side of the Park on Occidental Mindoro
is composed of several distinct areas: the Balagit
valley, which stretches between Mt. Iglit and Mt.
Talafo range; the upper Kinarawan River at the
foot of the Tusk peak, and the Aruyan-Malati
area. Settlement pattern goes from large villages
up to twenty families or more (small village, also
called “sitio”, Kawayan, Banabahan, Paglibuan)
to small group of huts or isolated families. Most of
these areas are known to be part of the historical
and natural range of the tamaraw.
Some Mangyans, living with a surprising level of
destitution and isolation, were encountered along
the Lumintao River. Groups are reduced to a
single hut or an aggregation of a few families.
Their subsistence is limited to a couple of banana
trees, a square of sweet potato crop and hunting
on small animals.
Investigation shows that some Mangyan
communities have been giving up their semi
nomadic lifestyle in the last decade, settling in
larger permanent villages, cultivating rice fields
and performing pig farming (such transition was
also promoted by governmental policies). Sitio
Tamisan is indeed a recent settlement that
gathers families who were dispatched in smaller
sitios in the mountains before the construction of
the hanging bridge that crosses the Anahawin
River (pers. com.). In other areas, NGOs have
supported the improvement of facilities (water
pump, concrete building), thus encouraging
Mangyan to settle down in one larger permanent
sitio (Sitio Lalid on the Bongabong River is an
example).
Recent settlements (less than 20 years old) were
noticed by the rangers and our local porters in
various areas. For example, new sitios are visible
on the upper Batangan River around Mt. Wood
(Sitio Tagayo, Pawa, Namaluaya) and are
situated where the tamaraw was still reported two
decades ago. Forest clearings and numerous
kaingin plots are indicators of a more intense
human activity.
Isolated Mangyan from
the kinuala area © E.
Schütz
The Bongabong watershed in Oriental Mindoro is
significantly occupied by communities of the
Bangon group. The importance of exchange and
communication is visible thanks to the numerous
rattan hanging bridges built all along the river
system (such infrastructures are of much
advanced design and in larger number in
comparison with other visited watersheds).
According to our IP guide and Bangon tribal
leader, nearly 1000 families live scattered along
the upper Bongabong River and its tributaries,
most of them being elusive and living in rather
small groups.
Mangyan rattan hanging bridge along the Bongabong
River © E. Schütz
 Mangyans occupy a larger area than initially presumed.
 IP population is increasing on the whole area of investigation and observations suggest a
progressive colonization toward the inland.
 Many communities living at the periphery of the Park in mid elevation zones are under a
transition pattern, settling down in larger villages and changing their land-use and lifestyle.
19
Habitat
Mr. Danilo Roca, TCP field operation assistant,
explains that a few landowners were
monopolizing large areas within Mindoro for cattle
breeding until the mid 1970s. Thereby, most of
the core zone of the monitoring, the Kinuala area,
the Mapad valley, the head water plateau of the
Mongpong River, the Busuanga and the
Batangan valley, were used as pasturelands.
Both tamaraw and Mangyans were considered as
a hindrance (Pers. com.). This activity then
declined due to large epizooties and political
decisions.
Dry landscape and pastureland of the Batangan valley
© E. Schütz
Nowadays, cattle breeding are maintained only
between the Busuanga and the Batangan River.
Bangon communities have recovered the primacy
of their ancestral lands but have shifted their
lifestyle to become farmers for cows, goats and
carabaos (domestic water buffalo), for the
account of the last big Tagalog livestock owner.
The area is characterized by its bare landscape
and its scarcity of water. Trees are almost absent
up to the foothills of Mt. Wood, which is covered
by dry deciduous forest then by dense and mossy
forest at its summit.
Dry and open landscapes prevail in Occidental
Mindoro, which is characterized by two well
marked seasons. In contrast, Oriental Mindoro is
densely forested with rainfall all over the year.
The administrative limit of both provinces clearly
matches with the climates delimitation, with a tree
line running South-North. The Bongabong
watershed is covered with dense mature forest
with a large diversity of trees; rattan is very
common in the hills, while Agoho pine is growing
in abundance along river banks.
Grassland is currently prevailing inside the
western part of the Park with scattered patches of
forest. Within the core zone of the monitoring,
such landscape is maintained by large and
regular grassland burning conducted by rangers
ahead of the annual tamaraw population count
operation. In rough areas Mangyans perform
large burning on steep mountain slopes. Some
large patches of forest are still covering several
mountain slopes (Mt Talafo range, Mt Sinclair, the
Anahawin river watershed).
Example of two types of forest: rainy tropical forest
(top) of Oriental Mindoro and dry seasonal forest
(bottom) within the core zone inside the Park on
Occidental Mindoro © E. Schütz
The Kinarawan watershed is a mid elevation area
naturally forested. Kaingin is the main factor that
shapes the natural environment. This practice
results in a mosaic of landscapes composed of
recently burned forest, crops and abandoned
plots under re-vegetation.
20
Only few large patches of intact forest (> 200
hectares) were crossed during explorations
(Landas and Pandari forest, Buayan creek,
Siburan forest).
During the exploration of the interior of the Park,
the team was following or crossing numerous
deep-forested creeks. This green network creates
natural wooded corridors that connect valleys and
plateaus.
Aerial picture of the upper Kinarawan watershed
showing landscape under kaingin practice with
different stages of cultivated plots (Source: Goolgle
Earth image 2014)
 Several types of habitat can be found within the area of investigation, from dense tropical
forest to dry bare lands, alpine grasslands and secondary mid elevation forest.
 Grassland burning performed by indigenous people and the Park's management has a direct
impact on the evolution of the natural vegetation.
 Kaingin practice from IPs is the main factor that structure the environment by creating a
mosaic of habitats in space and time.
Threats
Hunting activities from the Mangyans were
assessed on the whole area of investigation and
confirmed by rangers. A wide range of species is
targeted: monkeys, pythons, rodents, birds, bats,
fishes and crayfishes. Small animals are caught
using traditional bow traps or snare traps set on
pathways.
The Mindoro warty pig and Philippine brown deer
are both traditional sources of meat for the
Mangyans. Hunting those species is tolerated by
the Government despite the fact that they are
considered endangered. These animals are
hunted using pitfall traps, snare traps, spear
traps, or through spear hunt and driven hunt.
Mangyans are not really keen on talking about
this topic, thus the number of animals harvested
is not easy to evaluate.
A member of Sitio Tamisan reported that bush
meat was a very common meal in his youth,
which is no more the case (pers. com.). This
might be due to a lower hunting pressure thanks
to the development of hog breeding farm by the
local government as an alternative source of
meat. However it might also reflect a general
depletion of available game in the area. In some
places where IPs don’t have any domestic
animals, bush meat (including smaller animals
such as birds and rodents) is clearly a necessary
source of proteins and a nutritional supplement.
At a general level, it is not clearly assessed
whether hunting big animals remains rather a
traditional custom, or whether it is vital for the
subsistence of the community.
Tamaraw seems to be very rarely killed on
purpose by Mangyans that fear the animal.
However, such an investigation is not easy to
conduct. Traditional hunting methods for deer and
wild pigs are a threat to the tamaraw, especially
snare traps and pitfall traps that catch animals
randomly. Rangers have observed injured or
dead tamaraw at multiple occasions and animals
with a severed leg due to nylon string (recently
introduced by lowlanders) used for trapping.
21
Bone of tamaraw presenting a cut made by a machete
and found nearby a Mangyan settlement in the Balagit
valley in 2012 © E. Schütz
The Park's management worries about an
increase of the hunting pressure at the edge of
the core zone of the monitoring since the past
few years. Traps have been detected repeatedly
within the limits of the monitoring area on the
upper Iglit River, the Tangle creek and the
Nagbobong area, during the traditional hunting
period at the rainy season (pers. com.). A group
of eleven IPs from Sitio Bayanan, with dogs and
spears, was intercepted by the Park's rangers in
May 2014 (pers. com.). Thereby, the safety zone
of the tamaraw is progressively eroded despite
monitoring efforts. Recent agreements with
Mangyan tribal leaders shall limit hunting
territories and encourage the use of selective
traps. In AMTR, discussions are under way with
tribal leaders to reduce the pressure and to
encourage the use of selective hunting methods.
A sermon is generally the single blame delivered
to hunters caught within the monitoring and
patrolling areas.
Poaching from lowlander Mindorenos has been
assessed on many occasions. It generally
concerns deer and wild pig, but no estimation is
available. In 2012, six cases of deliberate
tamaraw killing were followed by judgment and
sentences (pers. com.).
In 2013, poachers conducted large grassland
burning on the south edge of the core zone
(Nagbobong area and Mt. Saligue). Human trails,
footprints of dogs and temporary campsites were
observed. Rangers have reported the presence
of poachers in this area several times over the
past five years.
Grassland recently burned by poachers during the dry
season within the core zone of the monitoring
(Nagbobong area) © E. Schütz
Several interviews with tribal leaders have been
conducted during field exploration. They highlight
that poaching incidents within the Kinarawan
watershed are at a level much higher than
suspected by the TCP. Groups of poachers, four
to six people, targeting deer and wild pig, are
reported almost twice a month within the Iglit
range, crossing IP territories and frightening local
populations.
Within the Aruyan-Malati Tamaraw Reservation,
groups of three to six poachers with dogs and
rifle are seen every week, hunting wild pig nearby
indigenous settlements. IPs from Sitio Tamisan
report that poachers from Poypoy and nearby
villages are seen frequently heading up the
Anahawin river and its tributaries.
Bush meat is used for local consumption and/or
limited to local trade within neighboring
settlements of origin of the poachers.
Law enforcement is weak and obviously
insufficient in regard with the issue. Rangers are
not mandated to apprehend poachers on the
field. They are limited to a simple power of
deterrence with fire guns and equipment of lower
quality than the poachers. Most of the time,
poachers are coming from surrounding villages.
Their origin and identity are known (pers. com.).
Despite complaints from tribal leaders to local
representatives, no action is being taken to
prevent and punish crimes. Moreover, TCP
members were personally threatened after
prosecuting tamaraw poachers, while a member
of Sitio Tamisan has been daunted for being a
witness at a poacher's trial (pers. Com.).
22
Habitat encroachment by lowlander Mindorenos
cannot be considered as a real threat anymore
according to observations. Indeed, tamaraw has
been extirpated from most of the places of
contact with lowlander's activity. Besides, farmers
and resettled people are restricted outside
Mangyan territories. Thus, tamaraw survival is
now mainly connected to the future of the
Mangyans. Anyway illegal activities from
lowlander Mindorenos and abuse of natural
resources within Mangyan territories and the
protected area are common and might cause
substantial damages to the environment; gold
mining was observed along the Busuanga River,
wood poaching was assessed at several
locations along the Bongabong River with stock
of timber being progressively carried down the
river.
Kaingin from indigenous communities is the
main factor shaping the natural environment. It is
likely that this practice dates back centuries ago.
Kaingin is generally seen as a danger to
biodiversity by rangers and local stakeholders.
According to current knowledge and information,
it is not possible to assert that kaingin, as a landuse practice, is a real limiting factor for tamaraw.
Nevertheless, the influence of the Mangyan tribes
on the natural environment has become much
more obvious in the past decades. TCP rangers
assess a quick depletion of large and mature
forests within the area of investigation.
Example of slash and burn agriculture along the
Bongabong river © E. Schütz
Illegal logging from lowlander Mindorenos observed
along the Bongabong river© E. Schütz
Further investigations are necessary to assess
whether the kaingin practice has a detrimental
impact on the biodiversity of the region in the
present situation.
 Non selective traditional Mangyan hunting methods, especially snare traps and pitfall traps,
are a direct threat to tamaraw, although the species is not directly targeted.
 Kaingin practice is a significant impacting activity and a substantial source of disturbance for
tamaraw and wildlife; however this pattern of land-use is not an obvious limiting factor for
tamaraw presence on the long term.
 Poaching is much more significant than presumed within the area of investigation, with a
severe lack of respect for IPs right and territories. Deer and wild pig are the main targets.
 Mangyans’ activity (hunting and agriculture) and disturbance from poachers at the edge of the
core zone of the monitoring are slowly eroding the safety area of the species.
 Law enforcement is weak with little concern from local representatives.
23
3.
Close study: Ecological assessment of the core zone of the monitoring
and the Aruyan-Malati Tamaraw Reservation subpopulations
3.1. Objectives, materials and method
Targeted outputs
Methodology
This study completes the first component of the
Tamaraw Program. It aims at assessing the exact
situation of the two known existing tamaraw
subpopulations and their area of presence.
Outcomes shall provide accurate data that are
needed to define specific recommendations and
conservation planning of these crucial areas for
the species survival.
A combination of two methods was used to
conduct the studies:
 Gathering and organizing data, results
and knowledge from the Park’s rangers
and TCP staff.
 Conducting
specific
focus
group
discussions (FGD) with tribal leaders of
the residing Mangyan communities to
gather information.
Specific objectives
 Evaluate the remaining number of
animals surviving in those areas,
 Define the exact extend of presence of
the subpopulations and its trend in the last
two decades,
 Assess the presence of Mangyan
communities, settlement and extent of
land-use,
Two dedicated workshops were conducted at the
TCP office, gathering most of the rangers and
TCP staff. Besides, four FGDs were conducted
with Mangyans, one in station 2 (MIBNP) and
three in AMTR (Palbong station, Sitio Paglibuan
and Sitio Albanikas) between March and July
2015. Those activities complete the data and
regular observation gathered during the annual
tamaraw population count operations.
 Identify the main threats affecting
tamaraw and biodiversity,
 Describe the natural environment,
existing and remaining suitable habitats,
 Design maps and materials to be used
for communication and management.
Scope of investigation
For MIBNP subpopulation, the study area
focused on the “core zone of the monitoring”,
thus extending on the area covered by the annual
tamaraw population count and the regular range
of the ranger’s patrols.
The study area of AMTR corresponds to the
AMTR 2007 survey area conducted by the TCP.
Base map of the study area comes from the
consolidated map by TCP rangers and team
leader Edgardo Bata.
Focus Group Discussion with tribal leaders and
representatives of Mangyan communities of AMTR
area, in base camp 2 within MIBNP in March 2015 ©
E. Schütz
24
3.2. Results of the studies
3.2.1. Core zone of the monitoring
Besides the regular rangers patrol, the annual
tamaraw population count operation that takes
place every month of April since year 2000 is
currently the sole regular monitoring activity for
tamaraw survey on Mindoro. The operation
concentrates its efforts in the “core habitat” of
tamaraw around the Iglit River and Magawang
station. There are 17 vantage points covering an
approximate assessment area (for effective
tamaraw observation) of 2400 hectares. Patrols
cover mainly the same range and area.
(Appendix 3, map 3.1).
Tamaraw presence
Since the annual tamaraw count operation
started in year 2000, the number of animals
assessed has more than doubled (from 154 to
405 animals in 2015) (figure.2 + appendix 4).
Meanwhile, the area of presence of the species
has been decreasing proportionally; more than
5000 hectares in the late 1990s, probably less
than 2000 hectares as of third quarter 2015
(appendix 3, map 3.2).
Attractive grassland areas at the foot hill of Mt
Iglit, on the Curinov’s airstrip, upper Anahawin
watershed and in Nagbobong area, were once
regular feeding places for tamaraw. According to
ranger’s experience, the species is no more
roaming in those places. Some observations
were made in the past few years outside the
current range in areas formerly roamed by the
species (Abangan ck, Amuton ck). But those
observations remain sporadic.
According to the last 15 years of counting results,
the proportion of observation varies a lot between
the different vantage points (figure.3). Magawang
station concentrates nearly 25% of all the counts
each year. Three vantage points (Magawang,
Bayokbok and Bato fidel) concentrate 40% of all
counts since 2000.
Figure.2: trend in the number of tamaraw assessed
every year during the annual count operation,
compared to the evolution of the area of presence of
the species within the core zone of the monitoring.
The density of tamaraw, within the area covered
by the annual count operation has been thereby
increasing importantly and might reach more than
1 animal for 5 hectares.
Figure .3: Cumulative proportion (%) of tamaraw
counts (2000-2015) for each of the 17 effective
vantage points used during the counting operation
Thus, the distribution of the species is very
uneven within its area of presence. Magawang
station and tamaraw plaza concentrate most of
the assessed subpopulation.
25
Besides, those three vantage points show a clear
positive trend (linear regression) over time, while
the number of animals counted at some other
vantage
points
has
been
progressively
decreasing to reach close to zero (Saligue East,
Tarzan) (figure.4).
Figure.4: Importance of few vantage points in counting
results and trend in the number of animals counted
since 2000
Mindoro Warty Pig - Philippine Brown Deer
Mindoro Warty Pig and brown deer are still
present and relatively common within the core
zone of the monitoring. Deer density is getting
higher while getting closer to the heart of the core
zone, near Magawang station and tamaraw
plaza. Both species are the main target of
lowlander poachers and IP hunters of the residing
communities. According to the results of the
annual count, the number of brown deer spotted
at each operation is in average ten times lower
than the amount of tamaraw counted (pers. obs).
Warty pig remains hardly visible during the
counting operation or patrols due to its smaller
size; however its presence is confirmed.
Mangyan activities
Most of Mangyan settlements are located outside
the area of presence of the tamaraw. However,
some sitios lie inside the counting area (Sitio
Tagurades) and numerous plots of slash and burn
agriculture encroach the recent area of presence
of the species, mostly around station 2. In 2008,
TCP and IPs reached an agreement regarding
hunting territories. This agreement was
reconsidered and endorsed in 2015 as violation
of hunting boundaries was assessed (appendix 3,
map 3.2). It can be observed that the current
extent of tamaraw presence overlaps almost
perfectly with the free hunting zoning agreement.
Hunting period of the residing IPs runs from July
to November during the rainy season. Snare
traps and spear traps are the most used trapping
methods. Rangers report recurring presence of
snare traps nearby the Tangle creek and Munal
creek. Pit traps are also frequently detected along
the Iyan creek and within Mt Saligue range.
Those traps are all detected within the existing
range as of year 2000 and encroach the current
extend of the species (2015 range).
Several dead animals were found in the past few
years within the core zone. Some of them
presented wounds and severe injuries due to
nylon strings that can be attributed to IP hunting
traps. Thus, nylon and artificial fibers
progressively replace organic fibers for trapping,
increasing chance of injury and death for animals.
Poaching
Poaching routes and intrusions are well known
(appendix 3, map 3.2). Poachers can be easily
identified by IPs and rangers. They all come from
surrounding tagalog barangays and sitios located
at the south-west edge of the protected area.
They generally follow river systems and Mangyan
trails to reach hunting sites. Main poaching areas
are: Mt Iglit, Tangle creek, Mt Saligue, the upper
Anahawin River and the Nagbobong area.
Poachers are trespassing Mangyan territories
and are often reported within the core zone of the
monitoring and the counting area.
26
3.2.2. Aruyan-Malati Tamaraw Reservation
Only two rangers, under TCP coordination, are
currently permanently assigned in AMTR. They
are based in Sitio Pusog.
Tamaraw presence
The area of presence of tamaraw has been
decreasing constantly since three decades.
According to TCP rangers and local IPs, the
extent of the species presence was around 3500
hectares in the late 90s. It was reduced to less
than 1500 hectares by year 2010. As of 2015, the
main suspected area of presence might
supposedly cover less than 500 hectares
(appendix 3, map 3.3).
During the last survey conducted by the
TCP/DENR and the MENRO Sablayan, in
cooperation with Noé and the MBCFi in
September 2015, only three tracks of tamaraw
were detected. Those tracks assess the presence
of the species on the upper Buayan creek, Mount
Malugon and Mount Maldadua.
According to local Mangyan communities, the
number of tamaraw roaming in this area might be
composed of nearly 12 animals, including at least
two bulls and 2 calves.
One bull was found dead in June 2015 nearby
the Malati River down Istampa hill, Albanikas
area (TCP report for Regional BMB Director). The
investigation suggests that the animal was injured
from a fallen large tree branch and finally died of
its wounds (including some inflicted later on by
passerby IPs). This observation suggests that
tamaraw might still occasionally roam areas
located between the Buayan creek and the Malati
River, north of the above assessed range.
Mangyan activities
Around 14 Mangyan settlements (Tao-buid tribes)
are found within the area. Some of them are
permanent, such as Sitio Paglibuan (where the
inhabitants
were
recently
converted
to
Christianity). Anyway, many settlements are
temporary and slash and burn agriculture
remains the main land-use practice.
Verbal agreement was made between the TCP
and different tribes’ leaders in order to avoid the
use of spear traps and snare traps, during the dry
season, in areas where tamaraw are roaming
(pers. Com.). It corresponds to the observed
breeding season of the species. The concerned
communities show real willingness to cooperate
as they consider the opportunity to address
poaching issue and land trespassing as well.
Poaching
Illegal activities and land encroachment with
lowlander Mindorenos and Christians are
frequent within the AMTR. The main period for
poaching runs from January to July, during the
dry season. It causes perturbation to wildlife and
fear among IP settlements.
Origins and routes of poachers are mainly known.
Barangay Ligaya, Burgos, Malisbong and Batong
Bahay are the main sources of poachers heading
to the area.
Mindoro Warty Pig - Philippine Brown Deer
Mindoro warty pig is heavily hunted within the
AMTR. However its presence is still assessed in
forested and crops areas. According to local tribe
leaders, the Philippine brown deer is no longer
present in the area. However, the exact situation
of the species must be assessed more
accurately.
27
4. Observation and discussion
Tracing the history of land-use in the Inner
Mindoro and evolution of the tamaraw range
Tamaraw was known to be widespread across
the island a century ago. Hunting, habitat
destruction and pressure from an increasing
human population have restricted the species to
lower valuable areas further inland and at higher
elevation. Historical records report the species
along the whole mountainous north-south range
of the island up to the 1960s, followed by a
progressive reduction of the records until the late
1990s (MBCP Rapid Island-wide Survey 199899; CRMF 1987 Tamaraw census – appendix 7).
Up to the 1970s, in mid elevation areas, large
cattle ranching has probably played an important
role in the evolution of the species distribution,
while tamaraw had already been extirpated from
lowland and coastal areas. Tamaraw was
considered as a competitor for domestic cattle
and trophy hunting was common in this period.
Those pressures have probably limited the range
of the species to rough terrains or forested areas.
Besides, it might also have prevented expansion
of indigenous peoples with permanent settlement
during this period. Results show that some of the
former pasturelands match with the actual range
of tamaraw (core zone of the monitoring) and the
most recent areas of presence of the species
(Kinuala area, Mapad valley, upper Kinarawan
River, head water of the Mongpong River). This
observation suggests that animals moved back to
these large, nutritious and suitable habitats
following the decline of the ranching activity.
The exploration missions of the Inner Mindoro
island suggest that there is a gradual colonization
by IPs toward these previous pasturelands but
also further inland in remote areas that were
possibly uninhabited so far (upper Lumintao river,
Mt. Wood range). This goes along with the
continuous growth of the Mangyan population
and pressure on the lowland areas from Tagalog
people. The increase of Mangyan activities is
correlated with the rarefaction of tamaraw in
those places. Settlements have been mostly
prevented within the core zone of the monitoring.
This relatively secured area has become the last
known viable shelter of the tamaraw in Mindoro.
Such observation suggests that human presence
is a direct hindrance for the species survival.
It can be postulated that the distribution of
tamaraw was limited and scattered during the
time of cattle ranching, then has expanded
after the disappearance of this activity, up to
the 1980s, before declining again because of
human pressure and land-use expansion.
Natural environment, ecological network and
species biological requirement
Mindoro was known to be entirely covered by
tropical forest. Heavy logging and habitat
conversion for agriculture during the last century
has left Mindoro with less than 10% of its original
forest cover; most of the actual forests are
secondary forests located in mountainous areas.
Regular ecological phenomenon (such as storms
and fires), as well as grassland burning and
kaingin practices by IPs, have probably
structured the environment and maintained
permanent or temporary open areas over time.
As a ruminant, tamaraw seeks for nutritious
grazing areas. The species feeds preferably in
open grasslands or forest glades, thick bamboojungle, marshy river valleys, and low to midelevation forests (Rabor 1977 – IUCN Red List
report 2008). We can assume that these causes
of disturbance, both natural and anthropogenic,
have provided a suitable environment for
tamaraw to feed and survive by creating a spatial
and temporal dynamic of habitats that promotes
the persistence of open grassland. Therefore,
traditional pattern of land-use of the Mangyan
tribes (swidden agriculture), mostly on Occidental
Mindoro, has probably played a major historical
role, if not positive, in the evolution of tamaraw
population and its existence on the island.
Within the core zone of the monitoring, tamaraw
are generally seen feeding in large grassland
areas. This type of habitat is predominant at mid
and upper elevation on the Occidental side of
Mindoro. However, surveys show that the species
seeks for thickets or woods to hide against the
hit, to find complementary food resources and to
reproduce. Besides, the subpopulation of AMTR
is basically considered as a purely forest user.
The presence of forest habitats is likely to be
essential for tamaraw ecology. It also provides
shelter and food for a wide range of fauna.
28
Moreover, the forest continuum growing along the
network of creeks and rivers are probably of
crucial importance for animal dispersal (many
tracks of various species were detected in such
habitats). This network prevents subpopulations
to become isolated by connecting valleys and
grassland plateaus through forested creeks and
mountain passes.
Although tamaraw is now confined to rough
terrain and mountainous areas, it cannot be
considered as a mountain animal as such. Most
of the original attractive habitats prevail at mid or
low elevation. Therefore, we can suggest that the
existence of a large remaining tamaraw
population in a small area within Mts Iglit-Baco
National Park is rather the result of historical and
human factors. The fact that no tamaraw
ventures into the mountainous interior, despite
weak influence of mankind, indicates that these
remote regions are not a salvation for the
species. This large protected area was indeed
grossly and arbitrarily designed with little regards
to the biological requirement of the species.
These outcomes suggest that:
(1) The presence of Indigenous People
maintaining traditional subsistence practices
cannot be considered as the sole reason for
the rarefaction of the species.
(2) It is crucial to preserve patches of forests
and natural corridors between suitable
habitats to allow terrestrial species to move
and disperse between subpopulations.
(3) In the long term, the bounds of the actual
core zone of the monitoring and Mts. IglitBaco Protected Area in itself cannot be
considered as the sole option for tamaraw
survival. Efforts from conservationists,
management bodies and local stakeholders
must extend beyond these limits.
Further studies are necessary to better
understand the biological requirements of
tamaraw, brown deer and warty pig, including
their pattern of dispersion, in order to develop
consistent conservation strategies.
Elements of understanding of the Mangyan
tribes and their land use pattern
Most of local stakeholders, conservationists and
agronomists consider slash and burn agriculture
as detrimental for the environment as well as
archaic and unproductive (Bahuchet and Betsch,
2012). Some studies about traditional agriculture
systems, including the Mangyans of Mindoro
(Conklin H.C. 1954, 57, 61) attempt to moderate
this commonly shared perception.
Indigenous peoples of Mindoro are known to
struggle for the preservation of their cultural
identity. Until recently, subsistence based on
hunting and slash and burn agriculture promoted
a semi-nomadic lifestyle, while preventing the
development
of
permanent
settlements.
Nowadays, many communities keep an elusive
existence with little contact with lowlander
Mindorenos. Their fear of strangers might still
reflect a former protection strategy against
diseases from outside, and conflicts. At lower
elevation, some communities are already closely
connected with the rest of the Filipino society.
Within the area of investigation, kaingin is the
main subsistence activity that structures the life of
the community. The exploration of the Kinarawan
watershed and Anahawin River highlights the
influence of the Tao-buid tribes on their
environment. Mangyans carry out forest clearing
with fire. Burned plots don’t generally exceed one
hectare. Mountain rice, sweet potato and banana
trees are the first crops planted on the ground
covered by ashes. It is thereafter followed with
other crops (vegetables, fruit trees) Temporary
and seasonal huts are built next to the plot that
will be cultivated and harvested for a couple of
years (3 to 10 years). Afterwards the plot is left
for ecological successions. Some tree species
(such as the toog tree), which are fire resistant,
are not cut down after burning, while tree stumps
are generally kept. This promotes quicker
restoration of tree cover and prevents land
erosion during rainy season.
According to studies on slash and burn
agriculture conducted in French Guyana, the low
environmental impact of the slash and burn
agriculture depends on: (1) the small size of
forest clearings using burning with (2) tree
stumps maintained and (3) the combination of
cultivation / fallow / rotation of plots. Furthermore,
in shifting agriculture systems, long fallow periods
are essential to allow regeneration of the natural
vegetation after the end of the last harvest
(Tsayem Demaze and Manusset, 2008).
This type of land use promotes a cycle process
with the succession of several ecological stages,
which is visible in the area of investigation:
29
Four types of landscape and stages that can be found in areas occupied by Manyans practicing kaingin;
clockwise: (1) fresh burned forest plot, (2) cultivated plot with crops of sweet potatoes, some banana plantation
and a few other vegetables, (3) open landscape under natural regeneration (fallow, meadow, shrubby vegetation)
after abandonment of the cultivated plots, (4) young secondary forest becoming dominant © E. Schütz
Field surveys and analysis carried out during the
exploration missions have identified six types of
coexisting habitats. Observations suggest that
under a general pattern of kaingin practice
(moderate human density, slow pace of turnover),
these six types of habitats are following one
another over time (figure 5.1). Under such
“optimal” pattern of land use, the existence of a
mosaic of habitats is possible and results into a
spatial-temporal dynamic. This combination of
habitats is known to attract species that find both
food and shelter, especially wild pigs that are
often hunted in former crops under regeneration
that forms thickets or meadows. This "selfregenerating system", complemented with alien
plants (Mangyan's crops), makes the natural
environment more complex and fosters greater
biodiversity.
Figure 5.1: The six types of habitat under succession in a “optimal” traditional slash and burn agriculture
according to field observations (E. Schütz):
30
One can suppose that this form of land
management by indigenous peoples, that has
long availed, is not intrinsically a hindrance for
the species. On the contrary, this "agroecosystem" promotes the juxtaposition of both
attractive feeding places and dense areas to
hide. Moreover, it maintains large mature patches
of forest that are useful for wildlife and people to
find complementary resources.
Thus, the main reason explaining the recent
decline of tamaraw in the Inner Mindoro must be
sought elsewhere.
The ability of an agro-ecosystem to maintain
long-term stable production is based on its
ecological, social and economic soundness
(Kleinman et al. 1995: 237). In this case, slash
and burn agriculture appears as a viable
ecological option for long-term land use (thanks
to its independence from fertilizers, pesticides
and irrigation and operating on non-renewable
fossil energy inputs).
The limit of the sustainability of such agro-system
is directly connected to the socio-economical
context of rural societies and the evolution of their
population. Changes in the pattern of land use
induce detrimental effects on the natural
environment especially when the extent of forest
devoted to slash and burn agriculture decreases
while human population increases (Tsayem
Demaze and Manusset, 2008). Population growth
leads to increase the average size of forest plots
requested with a gradual abandonment of fallow
and rotation system. The greatest risk of poor
crop management remains in accelerating crop
cycles that requires the clearing of new plots
(Bahuchet and Betsch, 2012).
According to the Park's rangers and the
information gathered from several indigenous
communities, in many areas, plots are now
reoccupied
less than
a
decade
after
abandonment, sometimes just five years
following the last harvest or even less. Tao-Buid
communities of the Anahawin River, near the
Park's border, have developed a three plots
system that decreases to two years the pace of
turnover and reduces the fallow period (pers.
Com.). The increase of the human population
consequently requests to clear new plots, and to
re-use the same plots overtime, thus accelerating
the pace of the cycle and local land pressure.
Studies about shifting agricultures show that the
increase of the human density causes a
progressive saturation of the availability of
agricultural lands. It results in the fixation of
cultivated plots after clearing with a gradual
decline of the main characteristic of the
swiddening practice (and therefore a degradation
of agro-ecological conditions of plots) (Tsayem
Demaze and Manusset, 2008). We can assume
that IPs living within the area of investigation are
under this pattern; the need to clear more plots
and to accelerate the pace of the cycle is a direct
consequence of the increase of the Mangyan
population. This situation promotes permanent
settlement at lower elevation and connections
with valleys to seek for new options (Sitio
Tamisan is an example), while the pressure for
space is becoming higher further inland.
This context has a direct impact on the natural
environment of the region. Shorter intervals
between turnovers prevent the completion of the
full ecological cycle. Plots do no longer have time
to reach the mature forest stage, thus reducing
the complexity of the mosaic and full biodiversity
potential (figure 5.2). Moreover, the need to clear
more plots induces that mature forests become
increasingly scarce over time, while other areas
are used more regularly. In these conditions,
large animals such as tamaraw can no longer find
enough undisturbed places as well as suitable
habitats to rest and feed.
Figure 5.2: Cycle of habitat succession shortened suggested by field observations (E. Schütz):
31
In areas occupied by traditional Mangyan
communities, we can assume the existence of
a threshold of human density and intensity of
land-use under which the tamaraw can no
longer find suitable conditions to survive.
Nowadays, we can wonder whether slash and
burn agriculture, limited to few crops and
basic techniques, is still able to supply an
increasing population, while the availability of
space is becoming a critical issue.
Further
ethno-ecological
and
ethnoeconomical studies are absolutely needed to
better understand the social organization of the
Mangyans. This must be completed with a proper
agro-ecological study to understand the
ecological influence of the kaingin practice as
well as to get more information about the
biological requirement of the tamaraw.
Indeed, it is important to find solutions (agroforestry, land management...) to adapt the slash
and burn agriculture to changing socioeconomic context and spatial constraints.
Such issues must be based on proper research
and information supported by relevant experts.
The effectiveness of the IPRA law and
implementation of the Ancestral Domain
Sustainable and Protection Plan (ADSDPP)
shall support the transfer of title and management
authority for ancestral domains within the PA to
indigenous
communities.
Thus
IPs
will
progressively gain more control to dispose of the
natural resources that are found in their
territories. It would be relevant to catch such
opportunity to propose and test new / alternative
agricultural models in order to mitigate the impact
of actual practices on the natural environment
while increasing the range of techniques for their
subsistence.
Threats and pressure on tamaraw distribution
The Aruyan-Malati Tamaraw Reservation once
sheltered a large population of tamaraw, while the
species was already becoming rare elsewhere on
the island. The Gene Pool Farm (a 280 ha
enclosure
created to
promote tamaraw
reproduction in captivity) was indeed populated
with
animals
coming
from
that
area.
Unfortunately, the captive breeding program has
had no success (IUCN Red List Assessment,
2008). There is currently only one offspring, a
male tamaraw, still alive.
The Aruyan-Malati Tamaraw Reservation
subpopulation is likely to be soon extinct if
nothing is done urgently. Meanwhile tamaraw
are no more wandering the hills of the upper
Kinarawan River, the Balagit valley and the
Anahawin watershed. The recent survey proves
that there is no more connection with the
population of the core zone of the monitoring.
The increase of the Tao-Buid population that
leads to a higher pressure on natural resources
and use of space, might partly explain this drastic
decline. Large patches of intact forest are
becoming rare within the area of investigation.
Traditional activities (wood cutting, hunting of
small animals, movements of people between
communities, crops and harvest), increase
disturbance and reduce the network of
undisturbed places.
Above all, poaching activity from lowlander
Mindorenos within IP territories and the outskirt of
the core zone introduces an important source of
disturbance, as poachers seek for areas where
animals are hiding and feeding. In these
conditions, it becomes very difficult for tamaraw
to move away and to find undisturbed areas to
feed and rest.
The combination of both factors could also
explain why tamaraw has disappeared from other
areas such as Mt. Wood range, the Kinuala
plateau or the grassland plateau at the head
water of the Mongpong River.
Within the core zone of the monitoring, the results
of the close study suggest a clear impact of
poaching and trapping from the IPs on the
evolution of tamaraw range. Those intrusive
activities might have played a major role in
limiting the population to its current area of
presence. Indeed, animals are now restricted
within the free hunting zone and patrolling area.
These statements suppose that the current
level of disturbance, the shortage of safety
places and the lack of connecting corridors
are the main limiting factors restricting
tamaraw range.
It is crucial and urgent to mitigate hunting
pressure from IPs and to stop illegal
activities, within the core zone of the
monitoring, in order to allow animals to
disperse safely and for the species to
increase its area of presence toward its
previous most recent range.
32
The "core zone of the monitoring", an
ambiguous haven
The so-called "core zone of the monitoring" is
currently considered as the last viable refuge for
tamaraw. Its heart is kept free of permanent
Mangyan settlements and activities are reduced
as much as possible. Regular ranger’s patrols
ensure relative protection against poachers.
The TCP has progressively concentrated its
efforts on this area, which is thence considered
as a priority for the species conservation. Almost
all the Park’s rangers were reassigned there
since the past 20 years, at the expense of other
areas that are no more monitored.
Anyway, and despite the name of “core zone”,
this area does not reflect any factual
protection status neither involves concrete
zoning system within the PA. The expression is
used by local authorities and the Park’s
management as it corresponds to the main area
where a substantial tamaraw population has
persisted.
The area encompasses the tamaraw core habitat
(roughly defined as the area where the population
density is the highest around Magawang station)
as well as the nearby Mangyan settlements. It
doesn’t correspond to a clearly defined and
bounded zone, all the more that the range of the
species has been declining constantly in the past
two decades. By consequences, this appellation
is prone to create confusion among stakeholders
and conservation bodies.
According to Mr. Danilo Roca, TCP field operation
assistant, tamaraw were very elusive in the
1980s within the core zone of the monitoring.
Animals were rarely observed and used to run
away over large distances when disturbed. This
behavior reflects a general state of panic
among the species at that time. Nowadays,
tamaraw can easily be seen in daytime and in
larger groups than before. Animals maintain a
safety distance less than a hundred meters and
remain in open areas to feed, thus allowing long
and easy observation. Thereby we can assert
that tamaraw living inside this monitored area
have progressively developed confidence toward
humans. Thanks to the dedicated work of the
TCP, the Park's management and the rangers
since thirty years, the core zone of the monitoring
has become the last safety place where people
can observe this unique animal in the wild.
According to the results of the annual tamaraw
population count conducted every April within the
core zone of the monitoring, tamaraw population
has more than doubled since the start of the
counting operation in 2000.
Improvement of skills and equipments of the
teams over the years could partly explain the
increase in the number of animals spotted each
year. Moreover, in 2014, 50% of observed
tamaraw were calves, yearlings or juveniles;
while females represented more than 60% of the
counts (TCP consolidated report, 2014). This
shows a robust growth rate capacity.
However, both factors can not totally explain this
rapid increase. Observations and analysis
suggest that this subpopulation is possibly
reinforced by animals coming from surroundings
areas, seeking for a safety place away from
hunting or recurrent disturbance; this factor being
strengthened by the limited or even absence of
natural dispersion out of the zone. A difference
in survival conditions outside and inside the
monitoring area is likely to exist. This is a
hindrance for natural population dynamic.
Furthermore, large grassland burnings are
conducted ahead of the annual count in order to
facilitate the spotting of animals that are attracted
by new growth vegetation. This method prevents
regeneration of the natural vegetation and
maintains large zones under stage of grassland.
The population of brown deer, the second large
ruminant is ten times lower according to counting
results. Despites the fact that the deer is rather
browser than grazer in comparison to tamaraw,
this observation suggests a possible behavioral
bias introduced by the recurrent burning
operations. Such ecological behavior must be
further investigated.
Behavioral bias combined with the lack of
suitable survival conditions elsewhere could
result in the concentration of animals within
the core zone of the monitoring at a higher
density than the ecological carrying capacity of
the place. Mr. R. M. Boyles, TCP coordinator and
Protected Area Superintendant, suggests that
there is already an over density of animals
around Magawang station, the heart of the
monitoring area (pers. com.).
33
Thus, it can be assumed that the core zone of
the monitoring, which probably shelters the
last viable population of tamaraw in the world,
cannot be considered as a source for animal
dispersal but as a sink, due to detrimental
conditions around and possible behavioral
bias.
The first hypothesis that arises from this
statement is that young animals venturing out of
the core zone are either killed (by Mangyans or
poachers) or are finally coming back to their
original point. Such assumption must be
investigated further in order (1) to better
understand the pattern of dispersal of
tamaraw and their movement within and
beyond the Park and (2) to state the actual
conservation importance of the core zone.
Furthermore, these statements highlight the
urgent need to assess the carrying capacity
of the core zone in the perspective of long
term survival of the species within a restricted
area.
Current tamaraw situation and prospect of
conservation
Based on the outcomes of the exploration
missions, it can be considered that over 96% of
all the tamaraws in Mindoro currently
survives in only one subpopulation. The
second important subpopulation of Aruyan-Malati
Tamaraw Reservation, which once sheltered
dozens of individuals, could disappear rapidly if
no immediate actions are taken. Animals have
been slowly extirpated from other places or have
moved away to other areas and in particular to
the core zone of the monitoring. The existence of
a remnant subpopulation in Mt. Calavite becomes
doubtful. This population is now totally isolated.
Few animals are supposed to still be roaming in
the north of the Park and along Mt. Halcon range.
Besides, recent report from local Mangyan leader
suggest the persistence of isolated tamaraws
west of Sitio Nasuac, on the Alid creek (tributary
of the Bongabong River), on Oriental Mindoro.
These assumptions must be verified in the
soonest.
There are currently no meta-population
system and no proper dispersal opportunities
for tamaraw. This prevents the natural pattern of
population dynamic and genetic variability. This
latter could become another threat in the future
and should be further studied.
In the present situation, the increase of the
number of tamaraw counted every year is viewed
as a positive sign. Nevertheless, this outcome
must be treated with caution as it might most
probably highlight the impossibility for the species
to disperse and survive elsewhere.
Female plus young pictured within the core zone of
the monitoring in tamaraw plaza © T. Courtois
34
5. Conclusion and recommendations
The achievement of the component 1 of the Tamaraw Program highlights important outcomes:

The species has disappeared from many places of the Inner Mindoro Island where it was
still reported in recent years.

The subpopulation of Aruyan-Malati is declining rapidly with probably less than 12 animals
remaining on an area of presence of no more than 500 hectares.

The subpopulation of Mts Iglit-Baco National Park reaches nearly 400 animals but is now
confined within a limited area of less than 2000 hectares. Its area of presence has been
gradually shrinking in the past 15 year, whereas the assessed population has more than
doubled.

Traditional trapping methods from IPs, as well as recurrent intrusion of lowlander
poachers are the main limiting factors for tamaraw expansion in this area.

Meanwhile the increasing pressure on the land and natural habitats from the growing
residing Mangyan population is becoming a major issue as it reduces the network of mature
forest and undisturbed places and thus limits the dispersal capacity of the species.
Therefore, one can assert that the tamaraw situation is indeed critical. The survival of the
species is not ensured in the long term.
Conservation efforts must concentrate on a few areas, which are consistent with the actual means of
action available and the current ecological and socio-cultural situation.
Three targeted objectives can be identified:
 extend the survey where the presence of the tamaraw is suspected and identify possible residual
subpopulations, isolated animals and remaining suitable habitats,
 extend the range of the species within the core zone of the monitoring to an “optimal” size by
integrating areas of presence that have recently been lost,
 implement urgent actions to protect the remaining AMTR subpopulation and ensure its survival.
Two time scale approaches must be considered:
Short to medium term objective:
Create a proper framework and promote suitable conditions for MIBNP tamaraw subpopulation
to expand and increase through effective zoning system, protection measures and by
integrating the surrounding Mangyan territories.
Long term objective:
Define an island-wide strategy for the conservation of tamaraw, which encompasses areas that
have not yet been identified or considered.
35
6. Progress of the other project objectives
6.1. Component 2: Tamaraw Conservation Plan and PA Management Plan
Findings of component 1 have clearly pointed out
that the reduction of the area of presence of the
tamaraw was becoming a major issue for the long
term survival of the species
It is crucial to address the threats affecting the
species to help the population to disperse beyond
its current limits. On that matter, it is also
essential to develop solutions that integrate and
involve the residing Mangyan communities.
Progressive establishment of a “MangyanTamaraw Driven Landscape ICCA”, based on a
“Community / Stakeholders Co-Management
An Indigenous and Community Conserved
Area (ICCA) is an effective governance
framework that, at a local scale, combines the
enhancement of the rights, claims, cultural
identity and traditional lifestyle of a local
community with conservation of nature.
In the context of tamaraw conservation within the
core zone of the monitoring, an ICCA can be
considered as a relevant option to combine:
 Community livelihood and self
determination capacity;
 Wildlife/Tamaraw long term survival;
This process could be integrated with the
ADSSDP development efforts that are carried out
by communities and legal bodies in Mindoro.
For that purpose, Noé conservation and TCP
coordinator, Mr Rodel M. Boyles, have been
working out to design a dedicated ICCA which
addresses the specific natural and socio-cultural
context of the region This ICCA is a key element
of a wider community / stakeholder comanagement general model that intend to be
extended or replicated elsewhere (appendix 5).
This specific “Mangyan-Tamaraw Driven
Landscape” area shall be divided into three
multipurpose areas: (a) a strictly protected
area, (b) the targeted surrounding Mangyan
settlements and (c) a mixed production /
protection area.
Through this zoning system, it is proposed to
develop an innovative land management
model reflecting the ancestral land use practice
(slash and burn and shifting agriculture) of the
Mangyan Tao-buid tribes of the region, while
creating alternatives subsistence means. The
heart of the model is the introducing of a
space/time mosaic patterns of land use that
progressively reduce the need for new kaingin
plots, while sustaining overtime (appendix 6):
-
sufficient production capacities for
community subsistence;
-
the persistence of natural habitats and
a network of safety places for wildlife;
The establishment of the planned ICCA requests
further substantial information about the mangyan
tribes living within the targeted area in order to
better understand:
 the social organization system of the
communities, task and position of each
member, land property organization and
resource sharing,
 the connections between the different
communities, including elusive groups
further inland,
 the pattern of land use, kaingin practice
and
food
requirement
of
these
communities,
 the perception and relation with other
lowlander Mindorenos, including nearby
villages,
 the perception of wildlife and the tamaraw
in particular,
 the vision and hope for the future.
Those investigations were partially initiated
thanks to the cooperation with our technical
partner in social sciences, Anthropolinks in
France. They supervised the community based
approach carried out by a French master student
in anthropology for her Master thesis. The
student was immersed among the Tao-Buhid
community of Sitio Tamisan for a two month
period in spring 2014.
This approach shall be further extended with
proper ethno-ecologic and ethno-economical
investigations.
36
Proclamation of Aruyan-Malati Tamaraw
Reservation as “Critical Habitat” for wildlife
and Tamaraw
Following the findings of surveys in the region,
stating the critical situation of the AMTR tamaraw
subpopulation, the TCP has decided to
accelerate the proclamation of the area under
proper NIPAS legislation.
On that purpose, a series of consultation with
local government and residing Mangyan
communities have been undertaken.
Field surveys were carried out in September
2015 to accurately locate the remaining tamaraw
population, assess the presence of other
endangered and biologically important species of
fauna as well as to demarcate the future extend
of the Protected Area with geo-localization.
Procedures are underway and shall be completed
before the end of 2015.
The establishment of a dedicated ICCA for AMTR
was also discussed and considered as a relevant
option for the future.
6.2. Component 3 - Incomes generating activities and ecotourism development
Noé Conservation, and its local partner, the
D’ABOVILLE
Foundation,
have
been
cooperating with the local French-Filipino Tour
Operator ASIAVENTURE to create and offer
trekking package in MIBNP.
This goes along with the progressive
establishment by the Park’s management of the
IPAF system (Integrated Protected Area Fund)
under NIPAS law, in the Park. IPAF shall foster
self financing capacity of the PA through the
development of services for visitors and proper
fees (park entrance, accommodation, guides and
porters…).
An initial group of foreign visitors experienced a 4
days trekking package in the Park in January
2015.
Trekking offers will be extended to other Tour
Operators (foreign and Filipino) and combined
with Mindoro package tours.
The long term vision of the project for Mindoro
sustainable development can be defined as
follow:
To promote Mindoro Island as an outstanding
“ridge to reef” destination within the
Philippines and to develop Mts Iglit-Baco
National Park as a prominent place for
ecotourism and outdoor activities while
preserving the ecological integrity and
enhancing the cultural heritage of the region.
First group of foreign visitors sent by partner Tour
Operator ASIAVENTURE for trekking package in
Mindoro and experiencing Mts Iglit-Baco National Park
scenery and nature with international scientific guide
and local Park’s rangers © Schütz.E
Ecotourism activities within the Park and Mindoro
shall be developed and enhanced in 2016 thanks
to further collaboration and involvement of
prominent stakeholders, partners and sponsors.
37
7.
Planned activities and objectives
Noe conservation shall focus its efforts on expending and continuing the activities related to component
2 and component 3 of the Tamaraw Program. Priority will be given to urgent actions and activities that
are consistent with the long term goal and vision of the program.
Component 2: Conservation measures and management planning
o Proclamation of AMTR as “Critical Habitat”
Noe will provide technical and scientific assistance to the local stakeholders to conduct consultations
with the concerned Mangyan communities and the local stakeholders as well as to design consistent
management plan and vision for the area.
o Law Enforcement Forum with local stakeholders
The objective is to cope with the lack of involvement of local representatives by conducting a dedicated
awareness and involvement campaign targeting local stakeholders and officials (mayors, barangay
captains, Governor, IP leaders, local NGOs). The forum shall aims to (a) emphasize the current
situation, (b) develop cooperative tools, incentives and means to mitigate the environmental problems
and threat to wildlife and (c) promote field application of law for biodiversity protection. The forum shall
be divided into three distinct modules.
o Team building workshop and training of rangers
The activity includes jungle survival training, basic first-aid training and basic law enforcement and
apprehension training and workshops, as well as wildlife monitoring methods and equipment training.
The aim is to improve field capacities for patrols in rough terrain and remote areas and to better prepare
new rangers (including local Mangyans) to conduct their mission while increasing their safety.
o Involvement of local communities for wildlife protection
A series of workshops and field activities with targeted communities and tribe leaders shall lead to (a)
develop a network of key informants to report and fight against illegal activities from lowlander intruders
and (b) update and make effective the hunting agreement (hunting boundaries and use of traps).
o Completion of the tamaraw / habitat assessment and verification survey
The goal is to conduct specific verification surveys in order to assess the presence of the species in
areas recently suggested by IPs and explore the north of the PA.
o Design and progressive establishment of a dedicated co-management “MangyanTamaraw Driven Landscape ICCA” within the core zone of the monitoring
This objective combines (a) a community based approach (including ethno-ecological and ethnoeconomical investigation) with (b) the design of a proper PA zoning system.
o Repair of the ranger’s station in Aruyan-Malati Conservation Area
The goal is to repair and improve the ranger’s base camp of Sitio Palbong (AMTR) that was damaged
after typhoon Haïyan, in order to help coordinate/accommodate rangers during anti-poaching patrols or
monitoring activities and to organize specific regular meetings/workshops with Mangyan tribal leaders
and communities.
38
Component 3: Incomes generating activities and ecotourism development
o Capacity reinforcement of local staff and Mindorenos for ecotourism
The activity includes an accreditation training and seminar for tourist guide and porter of MIBNP (basic
tour guiding course and basic first-aid), and shall be open to local Mangyans and Mindoroenons for
future job opportunity.
o Improvement of the Park’s infrastructures and equipment
The goal is to extend the current infrastructure improvement carried out by the Park’s management by
a. Building one accommodation lodge at the Park entrance, within the Mangyan
community of Sitio Tamisan for groups of 8 visitors. The building shall not be
intrusive, and will use local materials and manpower as much as possible.
b. Installing solar power options at the different ranger’s base camps for lighting,
battery charging and appliance. Three solar options have been designed to meet with
the needs of the rangers and visitors.
c. Purchase basic equipments to outfit the base camps for the visitor’s convenience
(beddings, mattresses, camping and kitchen gears, large buckets for showers).
Activity includes carrying these equipments on site.
39
References and sources of information
Sources and references:
Bubalus mindoroensis. International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threaten
Species. Internet Web Site 2014 (www.iucnredlist.org).
Custodio C. C., Lepiten M. V., Heaney L. R., 1996 - Bubalus mindorensis. Mammalian Species No 520
pp. 1-5, 3, American Society of Mammalogist.
de Leon J., Lawas, N., Escalada R., Ong P., Callo R., Hedges S., Ballou J., Armstrong D., and Seal U.
S., 1996 - Tamaraw Population and Habitat Viability Assessment Report. AWCSG (SSC/IUCN).
Gonzalez J. C. T., Tomas A., Dans L., Afuang L. E. (1999). Rapid island-Wide Survey of Terrestrial
Fauna and Flora on Mindoro island, Philippines. MBCP, PBCFi, Shell Philippines Exploration B.V.
DENR.
Heaney L., R., Regalado J. C. Jr., 1998 - Vanishing Treasures of the Phillipines Rain Forest. Ed The
Field Museum Chicago.
Cebrian M, R,, Rodel M. Boyles R, M., de Leon J., Burton J., Species accounts - Tamaraw Bubalus
mindorensis Heude, 1888 - Ecology, Evolution and Behaviour of Wild Cattle: Implications for
Conservation, ed. M. Melletti and J. Burton. Published by Cambridge University Press. © Cambridge
University Press 2014.
Tamaraw (Bubalus Mindoroensis). AWCSG. Internet Web Site 2014 (www.asianwildcattle.org).
William L. R. Oliver. 1993 - Pigs, Deers and Tamaraws - present status and future priorities for the
threatened endemic artiodactyls of the Philippines. PBCFi.
Sources and references about slash and burn agriculture and traditional agrosystems:
Bahuchet S., Betsch J. M., (2012). The itinerant agriculture on slash-and-burn field, a threat on the wet
rain forest? Knowledges and know-how of the Amerindians in French Guyana. Revue d'ethnoécologie.
Conklin H.C. 1954 – An ethnoecological approach to shifting agriculture. Transactions of the New York
Academy of Sciences 17 : 133-42.
Conklin H.C. 1957 – Hanunóo agriculture; a report on an integral system of shifting cultivation in the
Philippines. Rome, FAO : 209 p.
Conklin H.C. 1961 – The study of shifting cultivation. Current Anthropology 2 (1) : 27-61.
Conway G.R. 1987 – The Properties of Agroecosystems. Agricultural Systems 24 : 95-117.
Fox J., Truong D. M., Rambo A. T. , Tuyen N. P., Cuc L. T, and Leisz S. 2000 - Shifting Cultivation: A
New Old Paradigm for Managing Tropical Forests. Published By: American Institute of Biological
Sciences
Kleinman P.J.A, Pimentel D. & Bryant R.B. 1995 – The ecological sustainability of slash-and-burn
agriculture. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 52 : 235-249.
Tsayem Demaze M., Manusset S., (2008). Changes in shifting cultivation in French Guiana: towards the
end of the ecological and socio-cultural sustainability? Cahier d’Outre-mer.
40
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Tamaraw population survey and current status

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