Calauit Game Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary description and photos - Philippines: Palawan Island (Topic)

Calauit Game Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary description and photos - Philippines: Palawan Island. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. Title in English - Calauit Game Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary.

Photo and description

The Kalawit Wildlife Sanctuary is an amazing place located on a small island of the same name, part of the Palawan province of Busuanga. Exotic African animals and rare and endangered Filipino animals can be seen here. The reserve was established in 1976 by decree of President Ferdinand Marcos after the International Union for the Conservation of Nature called on all countries to help save Africa's wildlife.

The total area of the reserve, located north of Palawan Island, is 3700 hectares. The vegetation on Kalawite is represented by low-lying forests and mangroves along the coast. Most of the island today is occupied by plantations and pastures. In the waters around the island, you can find dugongs, sea turtles, giant clams, coral colonies and many different types of fish. Before Kalawit was declared a nature reserve, about 200 families lived here who were engaged in fishing. Later they were resettled to a nearby island, however, on this basis, clashes between settlers with the administration of the reserve and the government of the island still continue.

The Kalawit project was launched in 1977, when 8 species of African animals were brought here to see if they can adapt to their new habitats. In total, 104 individuals were brought - giraffes, eland antelopes, zebras, impalas, gazelles, forest antelopes and waterbirds. For 34 years, the number of animals on the island has grown significantly, and today they coexist with the typical Philippine fauna - the Kalami deer, the Philippine peacock, the Asiatic deer and the Palawan bamboo bear. Only gazelles and marsh antelopes were unable to get used to their new habitat - the last time they were seen in 1999.

In recent years, Kalawit has become a very popular tourist destination. Both local and foreign students regularly come here to conduct research on ecology and other environmental topics. Despite this, much remains to be done to protect the reserve's land and marine life. In addition to conducting scientific research, it is necessary to create an infrastructure that meets international standards, which will streamline the flow of visitors.

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Topic: Calauit Game Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary description and photos - Philippines: Palawan Island.