WILD LIFE

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”.

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.

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.