More actions to save the 'tamaraw' pushed

MANILA 100 heads recorded in the late 1960s.

The extent of the population decline led to the IUCN's classification of the tamaraw as critically endangered, it said. "Such classification heightened the need for intensifying efforts to save the tamaraw from extinction," Garcia said.

Proclamation 273, series of 2002, declared October of every year as “Special Month for the Conservation and Protection of the Tamaraw” to help promote conservation of this species. "This year's tamaraw month’s theme, 'Hataw sa samasamang paghakbang para sa tamaraw', reflects the bid for further action to save the animal," she said.

Garcia said available data show that conservation efforts, such as educating Mindoreños about the tamaraw's ecological importance, are so far paying off. "The April 2018 tamaraw count showed 523 heads -- up from 253 heads in 2002," she said, citing the latest results of DENR monitoring of the tamaraw’s core habitat on the Occidental Mindoro side of Mts. Iglit-Baco National Park (MIBNP).

A news report earlier this month noted the sighting of about 30 tamaraws on Mt. Gimparay in Mindoro Oriental's Naujan municipality.

The BMB has neither confirmed nor denied the report. "We're still awaiting DENR 4-B's official word on the matter," Garcia said, adding that the regional environment office is surveying parts of Mindoro island where tamaraws could be found, aside from MIBNP.