Home > Activities & Accomplishment >Protected Areas > Calauit Game Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary

Calauit Game Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary

Vision for Calauit

Full development is necessary to maximize local and national benefits from the Sanctuary. Envisioned development includes the following:

• Make Calauit a nature park of international standards, with greater emphasis on preservation and protection of marine resources and endemic wildlife species.

• Establish Calauit as a center for conservation, training and education and wildlife research in Asia.

• Enhance revenue generation activities in Calauit.

• Develop the island as a major tourist destination.

Flora and Fauna

The original forested areas are limited to the Namultan and Pakopako ranges that run southwest to northeast bisecting the island into two major grassland areas north and south of the ranges. This landform is noteworthy as it also serves as the only watershed in the island. The rests of the island are covered with “buho” bamboo (Schizostachyum lumampao) stands and newly established secondary forests. Mangrove forests also adorn the estuarine areas mostly concentrated in the southeast portion of the Ditapic channel.

For more than 20 years of existence, the CGPWS has evolved to become the country’s natural showcase for the conservation of wildlife and their habitats. It holds the single distinction as the first successful wildlife translocation experiment in Asia, the second such project in the world.

The African animals have been in co-existence with the free-ranging endemic and threatened Philippine animals like the Calamian deer, Mouse deer and wild pigs to name a few. The CGPWS is also noted for its richness in marine wildlife like the dugong, sea turtles, giant clams, nautilus, octopus, coral reefs, reef fishes, and commercial fish species.

The protection of the endemic and resident wildlife species as provided for by Presidential Proclamation 1578 resulted in increased population especially for the birds and mammals of the island. Imperial pigeons, Calamian deer, wild pig and tree shrew which were considered rare species before are now a common sight to the people in the island.

Salient Achievements

As of December 2004, about 482 heads of exotic animals and 1,391 heads of indigenous species were accounted for in the sanctuary. These were broken down as follows:

Wildlife Protection and Monitoring

Sanctuary wardens and military men regularly patrol the coastal/marine areas of Calauit using patrol boats to monitor illegal fishing activities within the area. Dugong sightings were reported. Foot patrolling was also conducted within the terrestrial area to monitor the animal population, animal poaching and other illegal activities.

Potentials for Ecotourism Activities

Efforts were pooled to promote Calauit as ecotourism destination. In 2004, gate receipts of about P422,500.00 from the sanctuary were remitted to the National Treasury. Activities to develop certain areas in the sanctuary for ecotourism purposes in 2005 were identified. Priority activities include the establishment of view decks, enhancement and development and mangrove tours. These will be undertaken in collaboration with the SEMP-NP project and other prospective investors.

A concept of establishing an Eco Village in the area is also being considered. This is about creating a place for the people to enjoy its resources and opportunities. This will be established on an attractive site in Busuanga mainland which is accessible throughout the year. By learning about the ecology of the area, both the tourists and communities will be able to appreciate how the local resources will be conserved and properly utilized for the benefit of the future generations.

Other Prospects and Opportunities

Calauit has undisputedly gained local and international attention not only for its contribution to conservation but also as a unique nature park destination, prototype model for similar undertakings and as alternate source of stock replacement for ASEAN zoos. A holistic research programme was started by the PCSDS ERD through the conduct of two reconnaissance field surveys from March to May 2004. In-depth field surveys are expected to follow in the near future.

The PCSD and staff continue to explore other sources of financial support aside from the National Government to augment its budget. Concept proposal on Calauit Sustainable Development Project was prepared for funding institutions.

Issues and Concerns

Due to increasing animal population and corresponding management requirements, budgetary allocations from the National Government proved to be inadequate during the last five years of PCSD operations. Because of financial constraints, activities were limited only to the management and propagation of endemic and free ranging exotic African animals and patrolling of the area aside from the routine wildlife monitoring.

Another concern is the non-sustainable activities of migrant fishermen involving marine exploitation and for some members of the Balik-Calauit Movement, the practice of slash and burn agriculture and wildlife poaching.

During the last 2 years, the PCSD has been contemplating on the privatization of the management of the Sanctuary. Further studies along these lines are still underway.

The Palawan Council for Sustainable Development is a national agency under
the Office of the President of the Philippines