West Visayas Small Islands survey

Marisol Pedregosa

Like most small islands in the Philippines, Siquijor, Tablas and Masbate had suffered severe habitat loss. Almost totally strip of vegetation cover, biological disaster encompasses loss of unique species of birds (i.e. Visayan Tarictic Hornbill, Philippine Cockatoo) and two large mammals (Philippine Spotted Deer, Warty Pig, Golden-crowned Flying Fox). This project recognizes the need to survey possible ecologically important areas in 3 small islands of West Visayas. Field research will focus on endemic and threatened birds and mammals. The project will also incorporate field techniques training to students, local Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and local community members. Awareness will be achieved through presentation of results to the local stakeholders, DENR, schools in identified sites, locally working NGOs and Scientific community.