Mindoro is a unique biogeographic region in the Philippines due to its isolation and diverse habitats, resulting in a high degree of endemism for its flora and fauna. Standing out among its wildlife is the Tamaraw (Bubalus mindorensis), an endemic dwarf water buffalo found only on the island. A natural heritage icon of the Philippines, it is the largest endemic land animal in the country. Unfortunately, this flagship species is categorized as Critically Endangered by the IUCN with wild populations numbering only around 500 due to poaching, habitat loss, and a history of rinderpest affecting their population.
In response to the growing need for stronger conservation of the species and its habitat, the DENR–Tamaraw Conservation Program (TCP), in partnership with Eco Explorations and the Mts. Iglit-Baco Natural Park (MIBNP) Protected Area Management Office relaunched Biodiversity Camp (or BioCamp for short) in line with the celebration of National Tamaraw Month every October. The flagship initiative integrates environmental advocacy with hands-on conservation practice, allowing participants not only learn about conservation measures and practices but also directly contribute through participation in research, fieldwork, and public education. After the COVID-19 hiatus, this collaboration once again brings together government, civil society, and digital content creators in a unified effort to raise awareness, inspire action, and protect Mindoro’s biodiversity.
Upon the invitation of Eco Explorations, I attended BioCamp 2025, held last October 11 to 14, at Mounts Iglit-Baco Natural Park (MIBNP). I was excited to revisit the park and reconnect with the Tamaraw Rangers after six years, having joined the Tamaraw Count in 2019 and contributed articles on tamaraw conservation for VICE.com and Smile inflight magazine of Cebu Pacific Air.
Aside from attending as an environmental influencer through this travel blog, I also represented the UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines (UNACOM) together with another colleague to reconnect with stakeholders onsite on behalf of the agency in relation to pending UNESCO designations in the area. Since 2006, MIBNP has been on Tentative List of World Heritage Sites, while the Municipality of Sablayan, which covers the park’s core Tamaraw habitat, is eyed to be nominated as a Biosphere Reserve.
Trekking into Mindoro’s Heartland
BioCamp 2025 was held onsite for three days at Mounts Iglit-Baco Natural Park (formerly a National Park), declared an ASEAN Heritage Park in 1984. Our group was granted special access to enter the Strict Protection Zone (SPZ) of the protected area, where the largest concentration of Tamaraw roam. MIBNP covers vast areas of central Mindoro island, encompassing Mt. Iglit (2,364 masl) and Mt. Baco (2,488 masl). As of the time of writing, the protected area remains closed to the general public, as park management assesses its carrying capacity and finalizes visitor protocols to prevent the spread of ASF and other diseases, which impacts the wildlife population, especially that of the endemic Mindoro Warty Pig (Sus oliveri). A total of 10 participants from diverse backgrounds joined the event, representing government agencies, private sector, non-profits, academe, and content creation.
For the first leg of the trek at the Municipality of Calintaan, we hiked from the park management office near the entrance to Station 2 (Iglit Station) for more than eight kilometers, traversing shallow streams and hanging bridges amidst lowland forest and patches of rice plantations. For this trek, I opted to lag behind and stay with the sweeper group in order to spend more time photographing wild birds. Along the trail, we spotted Mindoro Racquet-tail and Mindoro Cuckooshrike, both endemic to the island. We also enjoyed great views of Palawan Crow, White-bellied Woodpecker (Mindoro subspecies), and Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker.
After settling down at Station 2, we were toured around a nearby permaculture demo farm, a project spearheaded by the D’Aboville Foundation (DAF), which aims to introduce sustainable and resilient land management methods to the indigenous Tao-buid people live within the protected area and traditionally rely on kaingin (slash-and-burn farming). This aims to raise the utilization of food, land, and other biological resources to reduce waste and reliance on energy and pollution-intensive industrial technologies whilst maximizing sustainability, improving land resiliency and biodiversity in the area.
Tamaraw Ranger for a Day
On the second day, we hiked for an additional four kilometers from Station 2 to Station 3 (Magawang Station) across rolling grasslands, entering the SPZ within the jurisdiction of the Municipality of Sablayan. Along the way, we spotted our first signs of the Tamaraw such as fresh dung and tracks, before our group spotted three Tamaraws grazing in the distance! Tamaraw can be distinguished from the carabao, a domesticated beast of burden found across the county, by their smaller but stockier stature and V-shaped horns (versus the C-shaped horns of its cousin).
One of the program’s core features is the “Ranger for a Day” component, where participants live and work alongside actual Tamaraw Rangers. Through trail patrols, wildlife monitoring, and camp routines, participants experienced the daily realities and challenges faced by wildlife protectors on the ground. This approach ensures that conservation messages are not only informed by science but grounded in lived experience. After resting from the hike at Station 3, participants went about doing different tasks like hauling freshwater from a nearby spring, collecting firewood, and cooking lunch.
In the afternoon, participants were split into three teams and each assigned a Tamaraw Ranger who will guide them through using the SMART app in patrolling the nearby Tamaraw habitat. SMART is a free, open-source platform for collecting, analyzing, and reporting conservation data. It helps rangers monitor wildlife, track threats like poaching, and manage patrols more effectively by using mobile data collection and generating reports for better decision-making. As the group explored the hillside grasslands, we each got to try using the app to record observations in the field. We recorded animal signs such as dung and tracks, as well as sightings of actual Tamaraw.
From our conversations with the Tamaraw Rangers who guided us, we learned about the many challenges they face as conservation front-liners, risking life and limb not only from poachers but the very animal they are protecting. Tamaraws are known to charge, especially when cornered, and have attacked rangers while out on patrol. Despite many years – even decades – of selfless and passionate service, Tamaraw Rangers unfortunately remain underpaid and lack institutionalized support. Fortunately, organizations like Eco Explorations, Mindoro Biodiversity Conservation Foundation, D’Aboville Foundation, as well as private companies like Toyota, have stepped in to help over the years.
After the patrolling exercise, some participants, including the UNACOM team, climbed up to the higher Magawang Viewpoint, overlooking the valley where most Tamaraws congregate at dusk. Between veils of fog sailing through, we got to see four Tamaraws wallowing in pools of muddy water. To cap off the productive day, we were treated with incredible views of the setting sun. It was the perfect finale to the event, before we spent the following day – our last day – conducting a “graduation ceremony”, where we received our certificates of participation, on a scenic hilltop next to Magawang Station, before hiking all the way back to the park entrance.
A Better Tomorrow for the Tamaraw
You can help save the Tamaraw and Mindoro’s biodiversity, as well as support the Tamaraw Rangers who protect them and their home, through the following:
- Donate in kind to the Tamaraw Conservation Program. Currently, the Tamaraw Rangers are in need of power banks, long sleeve shirts, trekking pants, trekking shoes, and day packs. For inquiries and donations, please email tamarawconservationprogram.mdo@gmail.com
- Support legislation for Tamaraw conservation like House Bill No. 3608, “The Tamaraw Conservation and Protection Act”
- Join the next BioCamp scheduled for February 2026 onwards. Follow Eco Explorations on Facebook for the latest news and updates!
