Home> Goodbye Eva, Queen of the Calauit Animals...

Goodbye Eva, Queen of the Calauit animals…

Alex S.Marcaida

     With her long –thin but sturdy limbs poised forward at a slow rhythmic pace, the tallest animal in the world displayed regality in her elegant walk at the grassy ramp. All our eyes and heads turned at the approaching lady mesmerizing us while on board a pre-war truck parked under the heat of the sun. Mang Polding our guide proudly introduced “Eva” the last original live female giraffe from South Africa as the rest of the remaining breed are all island born. Eva, Polding relates, is the most friendly and prolific mother-giraffe among the many now enjoying domain in Calauit. As we waved “a twig of leaves” Eva obliged a taste without hesitation. What a lovely creature it was right in front of us mystifying our moments, with eyes twinkling and lashes perfectly twirled showing the fragility of this wild beauty. No wonder, workers of Calauit couldn’t help but offer their lives for years caring these animals. I relished the moment as it would be an experience of a lifetime. Eva stroked “goodbye” as it graciously hopped up & down back to the herd of giraffe stationed nearby. With mix feelings of sadness and gaity, the PCSDS headed by Exec. Dir. Romy Dorado bid a goodbye look at Eva as the truck drove us back to the admin building.


    Eva is just one of the 22 exotic geraffe in the Game Preserve & Wildlife Sanctuary that co-exist with  more than 1000 other exotic and endemic animals grazing thru the sprawling 3400 has greenery in Calauit.

    By virtue of EO 722, signed by Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the management of the Reserve has been transferred to the Provincial Government of Palawan with plans of transforming it to becoming a premiere Calauit Safari Park. Last March 23, thru a simple turn-over ceremony, it’s been officially transferred from PCSD to the Provincial Government.

   It wouldn’t be the last meeting we would have with Eva as that wildlife encounter will forever linger in drawing us back to Calauit, hopefully soon.


Executive Order No. 722
Executive Order No. 12. (Provincial Government)