Six Endemic Animals Endangered in Palawan

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Endemic Animals

Endemic animals are animals which are native or its distribution confined in only one place. The reason for their existence in only one location may be due to their specific feeding habits or those habitats provide the best condition for their survival. Because of this, the population of endemic animals are prone to disturbances occurring in their specific range.

Human Economic Activities

In many places, human economic activities and the hunt for food in places where endemic animals live could lead to reduction and even loss of population of these animals. Since their population is confined in only one locality, there is no chance that this population is replenished once the critical level of population to maintain the species is compromised.

Endemic Animals Endangered

Among those endemic animals endangered by human encroachment to their habitat as well as demand for their meat are the six mammals of Palawan. Palawan, located at the western section of the Philippines, is a long island where unique microclimates offer favorable habitat for the survival of these endemic species of mammals. Animals endangered towards probable extinction are the following: Balabac mouse deer, Palawan bearcat, Palawan tree shrew, Palawan porcupine, and the Palawan dwarf otter. >>Read more...

The Endemic Scaly Anteater of Palawan: An Endangered Species?

Photo by Alejandro Bernardo, Jr.

Endemic animals in the province of Palawan in the Philippines are gradually being overtaken by the economic activities of man. Although many of the animals are meant to be consumed by people, their continued availability in the future appears to be threatened.

Among these mammals, the Palawan pangolin or scaly anteater (Manis culionensis), is in grave danger of being wiped out from their range because of the demand, not only for their exotic meat but also people's belief that it is an aphrodisiac. It is a pity that these animals are captured by burning their habitat. This animal capture practice has been used by hunters of the wild pig decades ago that led to the deforestation of much of the Visayan areas in the Philippine archipelago.

Why is the pangolin better left in the wild and why should it be conserved? The scaly anteater has a major role to play in the ecosystem where it thrives. The scaly anteater works like a natural pest control agent, preventing the proliferation of ants and termites.

More about interesting details of how this wonderful mammal looks and its ecological role can be found in Facts About the Endemic Palawan Pangolin or Scaly Anteater.

Crocodiles: Misunderstood Man-eating Animals

A badly beaten and tightly restrained crocodile in a remote barangay south of Palawan.

Crocodiles are treated with scorn by many as these animals have a reputation of eating humans. But are these man-eating reptiles worthy to be treated with fear and hostility?

The most notable man-eating crocodile is the saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus). These animals can even travel via the sea. There was a report that even SCUBA divers encountered them underwater.

How well do we know these animals? I happened to engage in research about these awesome reptiles that didn't change much in it general bodily features for more than 200 million years. And I came to understand the important role they play in the environment and got rid of many of my misconceptions.

I wrote a detailed description of the important role these highly resilient animals play in my post titled "Dangerous Saltwater Crocodiles".

Although crocodiles play a very important ecological role, contact with these man-eating animals should be limited as much as possible. While many of them are not man-eating, at least two of them are. These two species are described in Man-eating Crocodiles: Dangerous Reptiles That Survived the Age of the Dinosaurs. A veterinarian working in the zoo was victimized by a nile crocodile. Luckily, high tech medical technology made possible the reattachment of his lost arm.

Blood-Sucking Vampire Bats

Are vampire bats really blood-sucking mammals as its name connotes?

While looking for facts about this mammal, trying to verify if these animals are really blood-sucking like vampires are portrayed on stories and films, I discovered a lot of facts. While these animals are associated with the supernatural and treated with disdain, they serve some purpose to man. They are not blood sucking but may surreptitiously feed on any warm-blooded animal including man.

More on these remarkable animals here.

Palawan Bearcat: Neither Bear Nor Cat

Palawan Bearcats (Arctictis binturong) exist only in Palawan in the Philippines as it is an endemic species. They are, however, neither bear nor cats as people might think because of its name. Locally named binturong, the bearcat belongs to Family Viverridae which includes civets and genets. Civets are small mammals frequenting trees (arboreal)which produce a distinctive musk. Genets, on the other hand, are catlike (but unrelated to cats) and likewise have musk glands. are Genets are superficially cat-like creatures, despite being unrelated to cats.

Notable among the bear cats are their prehensile tail which they also use to communicate. More on these animals here.

Visit Palawaniana for more information on Palawan's wildlife.

Wild Pigs and Pig Bombs

Wild pigs once are abundant in the forests of Palawan. But with an ingenious device, the "pig bomb" as the locals call it, the wild pig population was almost wiped out.

Here's the story.

More on mammals in Palawan here.

Fearsome But Worth-Saving Reptile

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Crocodiles are always treated with disgust and fear because humans can fall victim to their unforgiving, powerful jaws that bite unfortunate victims with tons of force. Ecologically, however, crocodiles play a very important role, enriching the environment such that fish yield could significantly increase.

More on this fearsome but worth-saving reptile in Scienceray.

More on Palawan wildlife here.