Hideaways!
There are not many mammals found in the Philippines. The carabao, which is a domesticated water buffalo, along with pigs (both wild and domesticated), the mongoose, several deer species and numerous humped cattle are the most important animal species in the Philippines. There are many reptiles as well as about 760 bird species on the islands, one of which is the parrot.
The Philippines is noted for it's abundant marine fauna, in particular the mollusks. The famous Sulu pearls with their deep luster come from pearl oysters around the Sulu Archipelago in the extreme southwest.
Almost one fourth of the Philippines is covered with forests. The trees range from those with rubber, various palm trees, banyan along with indigenous trees such as mayapis, apitong, lauan and camagon, to name a few.
A valuable indigenous plant is the Manila hemp, or abaca. It is a plantain who's fiber is used to make a variety of items such as textiles, hats and cordage. There are over 900 species of orchids in the Philippines that represent 100 genera that have been found. Other plants found on the islands include cinnamon, pepper plants, and clove.
Unfortunately, the Philippines has some endangered species. The Philippine eagle, mouse deer and tarsier, dugong (also known as a sea cow or sea pig), marine turtles, the Subic fruit bats, and the cockatoo are among those in danger of extinction. Part of the reason for possible extinction of many species is the mass destruction of lowland forest habitats. The harvesting of trees for trade or progress, has diminished the forests of the Philippines at an alarming rate. Another reason is that some animals are caught for trade (such as the cockatoo) and others are killed for being a nuisance (bats).
In one area of the Philippines, an intensive effort is underway to save the marine turtle from extinction. This is being accomplished by limiting the number of turtle eggs excavated for profit and devoting one island to preservation of the turtles. As with the sea turtles, of which only a few will ever make it to the age of reproduction, it is difficult for the dudong to reproduce. When the females get pregnant, they carry their calf for thirteen months before giving birth. Unlike a sea turtle, which may lay up to 100 eggs in a pit, the dudong does not have multiple offspring at birth. In addition, when the dudong gives birth, the process cannot be repeated for 3 to 5 years, making reproduction of this species a very slow process.
The game preserve and wildlife sanctuary on Calauit Island is straight out of Africa. To add to an array of endangered endemic Philippine animals are 108 African animals transported here. It is also home to the man-eating Philippine crocodile and the endangered “dugong”, or sea cow.
Bohol is home to the Tarsier, midget monkey of the Philippines and the smallest monkey in the world. Situated near the foot of the Mayon Volcano, Albay Park and Wildlife boasts of of 347 animals belonging to 75 species. Crocodile Park in Ma-a is the habitat of crocodiles as well as various breeds of birds, from the Philippine sea eagle to kakatoe and Indonesian parrots
The Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park teems with 300 coral species, 46 coral genera, 7 seagrass species, 71 algae species; large marine life, dolphins, marine turtles; and seabirds. It was honored by UNESCO as the First Natural Site in the Philippines to be inscribed in the prestigious World Heritage List.
The Turtle Islands are South East Asia's only remaining major green turtle rookery and a vital nesting ground for the hawksbill turtle. Pamilacan Island in Baclayon is considered a critical marine mammal habitat in the Philippines. Palawan is home to the “dugong” or sea cow, the only herbivorous mammal today, while Donsol, Sorsogon is home to huge, gentle whale sharks which the locals call the “butanding”.
Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Nature Center in Quezon Avenue boasts of about 38 species of trees and shrubs, representing 2,443 trees commonly found in Philippine forests. More than just a haven for butterflies, Pacem Eco-Park houses various lumber trees, fruit trees, orchids, and flowering plants.
Olango Island, “The Bird Island of Central Philippines,” is a critical stopover of up to 50,000 migrating water birds flying the East Asian migratory flyway yearly. Pacem Eco-Park along Sumulong Highway, Assumption is a haven of over 80 of the country’s 1,600 species of butterflies and a number of native and foreign birds such as mynahs, owls, eagles, and parrots.
The Philippine Eagle Research and Nature Center is home to the world’s largest eagle, the Philippine Eagle (once known as the monkey-eating eagle), the country’s national bird. The Center for the Philippine Raptors in Los Baños is a rescue and rehabilitation center for diurnal and nocturnal raptorial birds, and a captive breeding facility for Philippine birds of prey, especially the highly endangered Philippine Eagle.
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