The research team of the project “Landscape Scanning and Eco-Tourism Based Entrepreneurial Activities for Enhanced Management in Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary” conducted the first detailed biodiversity assessment inside the core protected area. The team, headed by Dr. Bernadette J. Nanual, spent 10 days in gathering biodiversity information on birds, bats, non-flying mammals, amphibians, reptiles, moths and butterflies, and plants.

The fieldwork started last July 3, 2018. Before reaching the study site, the team first overcame the hurdles of the slippery and rugged uphill of Puting-Bato into Lantawan Uno for four hours. Then another one and a half walked into the camp site in Camp 4 but this time it was apparently convenient over an old logging road. All team members reached the camp site at around four in the afternoon. Tents and camps were immediately set up. After dinner, the team along with local Bantay-Gubat headed by Alfredo Bolante met to discuss the activities for the whole duration of the fieldwork, from July 4 to 12.

The first day started early in the morning. After completing the breakfast at 6:30, the team was split into three groups to establish the initial three two-kilometer transect lines. The transect lines were selected to cover higher elevations going to Mount Hamiguitan peak and the montane elevation to twin falls and Lantawan. Another two kilometer transect was added in the next day to cover relatively lower elevations. Each transect line was sampled following the survey method of each taxon.

The fieldwork had documented a unique assemblage of biodiversity. Eighteen species of amphibians, specifically frogs, and eight species of reptiles were recorded. Additional 61 species of birds were documented using point counting and mist netting technique. Five species of bats (flying mammals) and eight species of non-flying mammals (non-volant) were documented. At least 50 species of plant were also recorded though some are still examined for identification. Similarly, moth and butterfly samples are also inspected for taxonomic classifications.

Most of the species documented are only found to inhabit within Philippine forests. Some species are even restricted only in Mindanao forests. Some species documented in the survey site that are only known to exist in Mindanao are Mindanao Blue Fantail, Mindanao Hornbill, Dark-eared brown Dove of birds, Mueller’s Toad of frogs, Large Mindanao Forest Rat of rodents just to name a few.

Another round of intensive survey is scheduled on October this year within the buffer zone of Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary.