By ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

Story and photos by Mounts Iglit-Baco Natural Park-Protected Area Management Office (MIBNP-PAMO). With contributions from Ronet Santos.

Mounts Iglit-Baco Natural Park

The Park covers 754.45 sq km comprising the two provinces of Mindoro Island, and is home to the remaining population of Tamaraw (Bubalus mindorensis).

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Iglit Baco Tamaraw (2006) by Mounts Iglit-Baco Natural Park-Protected Area Management OfficeASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

This national park is the only place in the world where the biggest remaining population of the tamaraw (Bubalus mindorensis) can be found. It features Mt. Baco and Mt. Iglit or “Fungso Mangibok”, where the most number of tamaraws roam.

Iglit Baco view (2015) by Mounts Iglit-Baco Natural Park-Protected Area Management OfficeASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

Aside from the critically endangered tamaraw, the park also supports 25 known Mindoro-endemic species and their habitats. These include 9 species of mammals, 7 species of birds, 5 species of invertebrates, and 3 species of amphibians.

Mindoro tarictic hornbill by Ronet SantosASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

Unique Fauna of Mts. Iglit-Baco Natural Park

Mindoro-endemic imperial pigeon (Ducula mindorensis)
Mindoro tarictic hornbill (Penelopides mindorensis)
Mindoro bleeding-heart pigeon (Gallicolumba platenae)
Mindoro scops owl (Otus mindorensis)

Mindoro Racket-tail by Ronet SantosASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

Unique Fauna of Mts. Iglit-Baco Natural Park

Mindoro-endemic Racket-tail (Prioniturus mindorensis)
Mindoro-endemic warty pig (Sus oliveri
Rusa marianna barandana, a subspecies of the Philippine Deer found in Mindoro

Mangyan (2011) by Mounts Iglit-Baco Natural Park-Protected Area Management OfficeASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

The Community

The Park shares areas with the ancestral domains of indigenous peoples groups such as the Taobuid and the Buhid who depend on protected area for their food and livelihood.

Forest of Mounts Iglit-Baco Natural Park by Mounts Iglit-Baco Natural Park-Protected Area Management OfficeASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

The Flora

Though dominated by grasslands, the park harbours unique dipterocarp species such as the white lauan  (Shorea contorta), guijo (Shorea guiso), and the guisok-guisok (Hopea philippinensis),

Tamaraw with birds (2014) by Mounts Iglit-Baco Natural Park-Protected Area Management OfficeASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

Learn more about Mounts Iglit-Baco Natural Park

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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: Story

Story and photos by Mounts Iglit-Baco Natural Park-Protected Area Management Office. With photo contributions from Ronet Santos.

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.