Visit of scientific partner from the University of Lyon in France

Dr. Christophe Bonenfant from the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) / Université de Lyon in France visited Mindoro during the first two weeks of June 2025 to provide technical assistance in the transition to the use of new methods in tamaraw population monitoring.

Together with a French intern from the same University and the staff of D’ABOVILLE Foundation and Demo Farm, Inc., Dr Bonenfant visited the area in Mounts Iglit-Baco Natural Park (MIBNP) where tamaraws can still be seen and met with the heads of offices and technical staff of the DENR – Tamaraw Conservation Program and the MIBNP Protected Area Management Office (PAMO) to discuss the results of the use of the dung transect and double observer methods that were started in 2022.

The transition to the new method was endorsed by Corridor Alliance Advisory Committee (CAAC), the official coordinating body for tamaraw conservation, in 2024. The new method consists of monitoring three indices: abundance, reproduction success, and impact on vegetation; the method does not require burning of the grasslands. The transition to the new method, however, needs to be accompanied with enhanced protection, expansion of a tamaraw safe reproduction zone, and the formulation and implementation of a habitat restoration plan.

During the meeting with the heads of offices and technical staff of TCP and MIBNP PAMO the following next steps were agreed: 1] identify local staff from the DENR and academia who will be trained in both data collection and statistical analysis in the conduct of the dung transect method, 2] conduct a training and mentoring program for these identified people, 3] identify and train local DENR staff in visual observations and camera trap installation, battery management and retrieval of memory cards in monitoring reproductive success index (calf to cow ratio), 4] conduct an elicitation workshop on the accurate identification of tamaraw calves, and 5] organize a workshop on to analyze camera trap data on calf to cow ratio that can be conducted after starting the protocol on site.

This activity is supported by the Biodiversity Challenge Funds through the Darwin Initiative under UK Aid for the Thriving Together with Tamaraw Project, in partnership with Mindoro Biodiversity, led by Re:wild..