Calauit Island - The Most Endangered Destination?

Calauit Island is perhaps the most endangered destination in the world. That unless interventions are made to introduce new animals (for their genes), it is with certainty that Calauit Island as an African wildlife sanctuary will be lost after a few more generations of the remaining animals on the island.

In the ‘70s, the Philippine government imported eight species of African animals and established the Calauit Island wildlife sanctuary where they freely roam in a savannah-like ecosystem. It was an intrigue-filled program of then President Ferdinand Marcos as there were allegations that the animals were placed there for the the hunting enjoyment of his son and his friends. But nobody proved the allegations as the place was completely off-limits to everybody not involved with the program. 

The  northern islands of Palawan is quite unique compared to the entire Philippines.  It is the only place in the country with the ecosystem called “savannah,” a semi-arid environment with vegetation, which is a bit similar to the original habitat of the imported animals. Thus, Calauit Island was identified as the perfect site for the wildlife sanctuary. 

When Marcos was deposed in 1986, the whole Philippines and the world finally “discovered” the sanctuary and its animals. Unfortunately, the management of the site came into hard times which affected the welfare of the wildlife and the entire sanctuary. Add to that, some people who sold their lands to the government before the sanctuary was established and settled in other areas started coming back and reclaiming parts of the island. The only thing that has been saving the area is the tenacity and sacrifices of the wardens and dedicated government personnel and volunteers who make sure that the animals are still taken care of. 

What makes Calauit doubly significant is that it also helps take care of Philippine indigenous and endemic species such as the Palawan mouse-deer (Pilandok), the Calamian Deer and the Palawan Bear-cat.

However, over the years, some African species such as the Topi and the Gazelle  have died out while the others like the giraffes and zebras are still managing to survive. In fact, some have increased the number of individuals as new ones are successfully born and survive in Calauit. However, there is the gnawing issue of genetic mutation because the new offsprings are usually products of individuals belonging to the same families. There is a need to introduce “new blood” into the population in order to keep the genetic health of the future generations.

There are already several generations of the African animals that are born in Calauit and mutations may already be happening, like the Calauit-born ones are significantly smaller compared to their cousins in Africa. There is a need to introduce new genes to prevent further in-breeding. People have been calling out for a program to be implemented to save the future generations of the species. Sadly, the sheer cost and social and institutional approvals stonewall the solution.

That’s why we call Calauit as a truly endangered destination. That when diseases caused by in-breeding for several more generations finally causes the collapse of the remaining animal populations, Calauit will no longer be a wildlife sanctuary for the African animals.

Tourists are allowed in the area. In fact, tourism helps in the maintenance of the site.  There had been very difficult times for the people managing the site due to many factors. But tourism has remained to be one of the reasons why Calauit Island continues to get the attention for the support it deserves. So when you decide to visit Calauit Island, remember these information. You may be treading on the most endangered, unique (in its own way) destination in the world. And you may be one of the reasons for the continued existence of the island as an African wildlife santuary.

Calauit island is not a zoo. It is a symbol of the world’s struggle to help save the species that were taken away from their habitat, and are now dying out, generation by generation. Unless the right help is given.