Community consultation on tamaraw conservation in Inner Mindoro

From February 21 to March 3, 2025, a team composed of DAF, the DENR Tamaraw Conservation Program (DENR-TCP), and the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) of the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Sablayan and Sta. Cruz, embarked on a mission on the rugged landscapes of Upper Amnay/Inner Mindoro, trekking through dense forests, crossing swift rivers, and enduring unpredictable weather to meet with the Alangan communities living in the uplands, 3 days walk from the last lowland town.

Tamaraw presence in this area has been confirmed by previous expeditions conducted jointly by TCP, DAF, and MBCFi in 2018 and 2019. Yet, the development of an efficient cooperation and protection system was still lacking. 

The consultation started with a ritual, conducted by Alangan elders to welcome the outsiders and set the spirits in a good mood for the discussion. This event is an important milestone in fostering collaborative management of this specific landscape involving the Alangan communities in the area that directly share living space with the tamaraw, the DENR, and the concerned LGUs, with the support of NGOs.

The mission and community consultation were supported by the “Thriving Together with Tamaraw” project that is being implemented by a consortium composed of Re: wild, DAF, and Conservation Foundation, Inc. and funded by the Biodiversity Challenge Funds of the Darwin Initiative, UKAid.