Rainforest Trust and local partner GREEN Mindanao established a new Hibusong Wildlife Sanctuary of 1,390 acres on the biodiverse island of Dinagat off the north coast of Mindanao in the Philippines. The sanctuary, located on the small islet of Hibusong just off the coast of northern Dinagat Island, was formally declared on December 4.

The sanctuary is the first in a series of four new protected areas that will comprise more than 17,800 acres in the coming year. With more than 7,000 islands, the Philippines contains a wide variety of habitats, including lowland tropical rainforest, mangroves, wetlands and thousands of miles of coastline. However, much of the nation’s natural resources are not currently protected. Dinagat Island is recognized as a Key Biodiversity Area, with numerous endemic and threatened species. Before the sanctuary was established by Rainforest Trust and its partner, there were no protected areas on Dinagat.

“Rainforest Trust and GREEN Mindanao are proud to have established the first protection for Dinagat that is under tremendous pressure from chromite and nickel mining,”  said Rainforest Trust CEO Dr. Paul Salaman.

“We have created a permanent safe haven and are working toward even more protected sites for a plethora of unique wildlife, such as the recently rediscovered and Critically Endangered Dinagat Bushy-tailed Cloud Rat, the Golden-crowned Flying Fox and the bizarre shrew-like Dinagat Moonrat – one of the most unique and endangered species on Earth.”

 

Thank you to our generous friends around the world and the SAVES Challenge. A special thank you to the Biodiversity Consultancy, Orchid Art by Charles Hess, and the SW Region Orchid Growers Association for their leadership support.

For more information on how you can support Rainforest Trust, visit our Conservation Action Fund.