WWF-PHL bares efforts to increase dwindling number of tamaraws

An environmental group yesterday bared efforts to increase the dwindling number of the country’s native animal tamaraw from 300 to 600 by 2020.

To support the conservation of both the tamaraw and its productive mountain habitats, World Wide Fund for Nature ( WWF- Philippines) partnered with top academic institution Far Eastern University ( FEU) with an ambitious goal to double wild tamaraw numbers to 600.

WWF- Philippines vice chairperson and chief executive officer (CEO) Jose Ma. Lorenzo Tan said, “This new tamaraw research effort raises the stakes for WWF, FEU and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Mindoro Occidental.”

“Ultimately, our engagement will revitalize key mountain habitats in Occidental Mindoro, with the tamaraw as its conservation icon. Healthy peaks and forests translate to a better-managed source of water so essential for the vast ricelands of this island’s western floodplains, while healthy reefs generate vast amounts of protein. Our goal is twofold – to double the number of wild tamaraw by 2020 - and to ensure that the ridges and reefs of Mindoro remain productive to adequately provide for its people in a climate-defined future,” he said.

For his part, FEU chief financial offi Juan Miguel Montinola said, “The tamaraw is no mere FEU mascot - it is a charismatic Filipino icon. We partnered with WWF because its holistic and peopleoriented outlook transcends mere conservation. Our alliance is not just about the tamaraw. It is about connecting people with the environment.”

Through its “Save the Tamaraws” project, the students and faculty of FEU since 2005 have provided support for a yearround tamaraw management and researchoriented program by participating in annual tamaraw counts each April.