Tamaraw Festival highlights protection of Mindoro’s endangered icon

CALAPAN CITY— Government agencies and conservation stakeholders gathered in Calintaan town in Occidental Mindoro on Wednesday (Oct. 7) for the this year’s Tamaraw Festival, highlighting efforts to protect the endangered tamaraw, the animal symbol of Mindoro.

The festival was held as part of the province’s observance of Tamaraw Month, intending to raise awareness about the need to conserve the species and its habitat.

The activity began with a motorcade from Station 1 of the Mount Iglit-Baco National Park to the Calintaan Municipal Gymnasium, where the main festival program was held.

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READ: EXPLAINER: Why the tamaraw is still fighting for survival

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The tamaraw (Bubalus mindorensis) is found only on Mindoro and is classified as critically endangered.

Conservation efforts have focused on protecting its remaining habitat, monitoring its population and working with communities and other stakeholders to reduce threats to the species.

The Mount Iglit-Baco National Park is one of the tamaraw’s major remaining habitats and has long been a focus of government and conservation programs.

Although the Tamaraw Festival was a one-day event, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has lined up various activities throughout the month to strengthen tamaraw protection and environmental conservation efforts in the province, said Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Efren De los Reyes. 

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“We may celebrate the Tamaraw Festival for only one day, but our conservation efforts continue,” De los Reyes said, according to the Philippine Information Agency.

The celebration brought together provincial government officials, national government agencies, representatives of the Calintaan local government, civic and other organizations, private companies and other stakeholders. /mr