Exclusive Report

Nine species of animals endemic to Mindoro are on the “Red List” of the International Union for Conservation of Nature

Aside from the more popular Tamaraw (Bubalus mindorensis), four species of bird, three species of rat and a crustacean found only on Mindoro island are considered endangered by the world’s oldest and largest global environmental network.

The Tamaraw, from its endangered status in 1986, has been listed as critically endangered. This animal can only be found now in Mount Iglit-Baco National Park, Mount Aruyan/Sablayan, and Mount Calavite Tamaraw Preserve.

The four endangered birds are the Mindoro Imperial Pigeon (Ducula mindorensis), Mindoro Bleeding-heart (Gallicolumba platenae), Mindoro Scops Owl (Otus mindorensis), and Mindoro Hornbill (Penelopides mindorensis).

The IUCN cited forest destruction and hunting for food as the most significant threats to these animals.

The Mindoro rats on the “Red List” are the Mindoro Soft-furred Rat (Rattus mindorensis), Mindoro Climbing Rat (Anonymomys mindorensis), and Large Mindoro Forest Mouse (Apomys gracilirostris).

Habitat destruction is blamed for their declining population.

Parathelphusa mindoro, from the class crustacea, is listed by the IUCN as “data deficient” due to a lack of “further information on its extent of occurrence, ecological requirements, population size, population trends, and long-term threats.”