By ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

Story and photos by the Management of Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary. With contributions from Gab Mejia

Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary

One of the most ecologically significant wetland ecosystem in the Philippines. It was declared as a Protected Area by virtue of Presidential Proclamation 913 dated 31 October 1996.

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Aerial shot of Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary 2 by Agusan Marsh Wildlife SanctuaryASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

Ramsar Site
No.1009
“Wetland of International Importance”
November 12, 1999


ASEAN Heritage Park No. 48
November 12, 1999

Map of Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary by Agusan Marsh Wildlife SanctuaryASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the province of Agusan del Sur, encompassing 6 municipalities with a total area of 40,940.96 hectares.

Agusan Marsh by Agusan Marsh Wildlife SanctuaryASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

Aerial view of Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary by Agusan Marsh Wildlife SanctuaryASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

AMWS encompasses 155 lakes that serve as the catch basin of the Agusan-Davao plain in Eastern Mindanao. The marsh acts as a sponge and reduces flood flows, thus playing a vital role in the environmental balance and socio-economic development of the Agusan provinces.

7 Habitat Types

Open water by Agusan Marsh Wildlife SanctuaryASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

Open Water

Flowing water by Agusan Marsh Wildlife SanctuaryASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

Flowing Water

Scrub swamp by Agusan Marsh Wildlife SanctuaryASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

Scrub Swamp

Herbaceous Swamp by Agusan Marsh Wildlife SanctuaryASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

Herbaceous Swamp

Swamp forest by Agusan Marsh Wildlife SanctuaryASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

Swamp Forest

Riverbank of Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary by Agusan Marsh Wildlife SanctuaryASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

Riverbanks

Inundated Forest by Agusan Marsh Wildlife SanctuaryASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

Inundated Forest

It also serves as the wintering ground of migratory birds. 

Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) 2, Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, From the collection of: ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity
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Migratory birds in Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary 2, Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, From the collection of: ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity
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Migratory bird in Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, From the collection of: ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity
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Migratory birds in Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, From the collection of: ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity
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Waterbirds in Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, From the collection of: ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity
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Waterbirds in Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary 2, Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, From the collection of: ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity
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Pitcher plant in Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary by Agusan Marsh Wildlife SanctuaryASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

The sanctuary serves as the habitat of:

721 Flora Species

Tarsier in Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary by Agusan Marsh Wildlife SanctuaryASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

The sanctuary serves as the habitat of:

449 Fauna Species
195 species of birds (70 species endemic to the Philippines)
32 species of mammals (5 endemic)
77 species of reptiles (57 endemic)
35 species of amphibians (27 endemic)
56 species of fishes
56 species of mollusks 
41 species of invertebrates

Kingfisher, Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, From the collection of: ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity
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Writhed Hornbill (Rhabdotorrhinus leucocephalus), Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, From the collection of: ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity
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Brahminy kite in Agusan Marsh WIdlife Sanctuary, Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, From the collection of: ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity
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Moorhen in Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, From the collection of: ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity
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Bird in Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, From the collection of: ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity
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Bird species in Agusan Marsh Widlife Sanctuary, Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, From the collection of: ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity
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Ducks in AMWS, Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, From the collection of: ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity
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Flying foxes, Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, From the collection of: ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity
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Purple Heron, Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, From the collection of: ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity
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Mindanao hornbill (Penelopides affinis), Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, From the collection of: ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity
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Aerial view of the community in Agusan Marsh Widllife Sanctuary by Agusan Marsh Wildlife SanctuaryASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

The Community

More than just an ecotourism spot, the Sanctuary is home to the Manobos who live on the western side of the swamp in floating villages. The communities live by fishing, farming, and hunting, always paying respect to the nature that sustain and support them.

Community in AMWS, Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, From the collection of: ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity
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Woman from Manobo tribe, Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, From the collection of: ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity
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Fisherman in Agusan Marsh Widllife Sanctuary, Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, From the collection of: ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity
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Fishing in Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, From the collection of: ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity
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Floating houses, Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, From the collection of: ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity
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Aerial shot of the forest of AMWS by Agusan Marsh Wildlife SanctuaryASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

Learn more about Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary

Follow us on
 www.facebook.com/amwspasu

Email pasuamws@gmail.com

Hotline No. +639308044113

Logo of Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary by Agusan Marsh Wildlife SanctuaryASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

AHP logo by ACBASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

ASEAN Heritage Parks

ASEAN Heritage Parks (AHPs) are protected areas of high conservation importance that provide valuable contributions to safeguarding ecosystems and biodiversity. 

AHPs provide a window to the world showcasing a wealth of biodiversity that is uniquely ASEAN.

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity
ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity