Three of the Philippines’ endemic animals have been caught on camera at the buffer zone of Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary in Davao Oriental with the ongoing 160-day trapping activity being undertaken by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Davao (DENR-11). Beginning December 2018, DENR-11 has set up state-of-the-art camera traps in the area to monitor wildlife. At least three Philippine Warty Pigs (Sus philippensis), two Philippine Deers (Cervus mariannus), and three Philippine Macaques (Macaca fascicularis philippensis) have been documented. Under the DENR List of Terrestrial Threatened Species, the warty pig and deer are considered “vulnerable” due to declining population, while the macaques are threatened species as they are “prone to extinction due to its small population.” Mt. Hamiguitan’s ecosystems management specialist Clint Michael Cleofe said.
“The presence and absence of these species indicate the status of our forest and other habitats. If we were able to spot them, it means that we still have a good forest condition and ecosystem dynamics.” Mt. Hamiguitan is a declared protected area under Philippine law and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
