Bleeding-Heart Conservations Programme

So the local and international parties together with the EEP and AZA Taxon Advisory Groups (TAGS) intended to assist the implementation of conservation action recommendations for some of the threatened taxa, thus leads to development of the "Bleeding-Heart Conservation Programme".

The genus Gallicolumba is not confined in the Philippines, though bleeding-hearts constitute a distinct subgroup of five species and at least six subspecies restricted to the Philippine biogeographic region. Luzon bleeding-heart (G. luzonica), Mindoro bleeding-heart (G. platenae), Negros bleeding-heart (G. keayi), Sulu bleeding-heart (G. menagei) and Mindanao bleeding-heart (G. criniger) have been distributed to the faunal region of the Philippines. And that all of the five species of bleeding-hearts are listed as critically endangered on the IUCN'S "threatened category" Red List.

One of the species of the bleeding-heart is found on our faunal region, the Sulu bleeding-heart (Gallicolumba menagei)

The Sulu bleeding-heart (G. menagei) is a medium-sized, rather short-tailed pigeon with bright orange patch to otherwise white breast. Dark grey forehead merging into iridiscent green nape and upper mantle. It is restricted to Tawi-tawi and neighbouring islets of Tandubas Group (including Baliungan, Tandubatu and Dundangan; Diesmos and Pedragosa 1995).

Since there are no established Protected Area (PA)  in our faunal region due to political instabilities and other conflicts the conservation program for the said species or actions might be underway. Military activity and insurgency continue to present a serious obstacle to the conservation in Sulu archipelago. A proposal exist to provide conservation funding for the Tawi-tawi/Sulu coastal areas, although neither the outcome nor the likely benefits to the species are known. In 1997, a public awareness campaign focusing on the conservation of terrestrial biodiversity on Tawi-tawi was initiated.

Philippine Biodiversity Documentary

Philippine Marine Biodiversity Documentary

Failon Ngayon - Mining Company in the Philippines

Balabag: A documentary film on illegal mining in Zamboanga del Sur

Sulu Hornbill (Anthracoceros montani) Conservation Program

Sulu Hornbill (Anthracoceros montani), is a blackish hornbill with wholly white tail. Black bill and casque, bare blackish skin around eye and small patches near bill-base. Glossy dark greenish upperparts. Iris cream-coloured in male and dark brown in female. Pale tip to casque-less bill in juvenile, and sometimes whitish-tipped primaries. 

This species is endemic to three islands in the Sulu archipelago in the Philippines. This hornbill faces the possibility of imminent extinction. It has a tiny population probably now confined to just one island. It is likely to be declining very rapidly owing to the continuing loss and degradation of the few remaining forest tracts in its range, and levels of exploitation. For these reasons, it is listed as Critically Endangered.

Conservation Actions Underway

CITES Appendix II. Military activity and insurgency continue to present a serious obstacle to conservation work in the Sulus. There are no formal protected areas in the archipelago. A proposal exists to provide conservation funding for the Tawi-tawi/Sulu Coastal Area, although neither the outcome nor the likely benefits to the species is known. A draft a municipal resolution for the banning of hunting or capture of Tawi-tawi endemics has been developed and was planned to be passed in July 2010 (I. Sarenas in litt.2010). 

Conservation Actions Proposed

Conduct surveys in all remaining forest patches in the Sulus to identify key sites. Urgently establish formal protected areas in the centre-west of Tawi-tawi to conserve populations in the main mountain range. Clarify the proposal for conservation funding for the Tawi-tawi/Sulu Coastal Area. Continue and expand environmental awareness programmes and establish captive-breeding populations for future supplementation/reintroduction. 

References

BirdLife International. 2001. Threatened birds of Asia: the BirdLife International Red Data Book. BirdLife International, Cambridge, U.K.

Collar, N. J.; Butchart, S. H. M. 2013. Conservation breeding and avian diversity: chances and challenges.International Zoo Yearbook.

Collar, N. J.; Mallari, N. A. D.; Tabaranza, B. R. J. 1999. Threatened birds of the Philippines: the Haribon Foundation/BirdLife International Red Data Book. Bookmark, Makati City.

Diesmos, A. C.; Pedregosa, M. D. G. 1995. The conservation status of threatened species of bleeding-hearts (Columbidae) and hornbills (Bucerotidae) in the Philippines.

Mallari, N.A.D., Tabaranza, B.R. and Crosby, M.J. 2001. Key conservation sites in the Philippines: A Haribon Foundation and BirdLife International directory of Important Bird Areas. Bookmark, Makati City, Philippines.

A blogger's experience in Tawi- tawi "Island of Turtles"

One of the municipalities of Tawi-Tawi is Turtle Islands. It is located within the Sulu Sea and south of Palawan. The Turtle Islands consist of seven (7) Islands-one is Taganak. Taganak is volcanic in origin and considered to be the biggest island among the seven islands. We are so grateful that we were given the chance to see how incredible the place is. In Taganak for instance, the crystal clear water offers you peace of mind and an unutterably word just "WOW". It is just so beautiful that it matched with the beauty of other foreign beaches in the nearby areas. The two (2) photos below were taken recently ( September 6, 2013) . 

How to get to Taganak, Turtle Islands? Taganak is near Sabah, Malaysia with 30-45 mins. ride via motorboat. There is no regular travel schedule to Taganak. However, you can reach Taganak via cargo ships or motor launch from Zamboanga. Motor launch can also be chartered to reach the area.

When we visited the place, we were able to witnessed some green turtles laying eggs. According to the some residents we interviewed, there are only few turtles lay egg in Taganak due to the existence of dogs, sounds and noises coming from residences unlike before. It was funny to describe us hiding in bushes and limiting ourselves from talking because it might scares the female green turtle. When it finally found a good spot to dig nest, it laid eggs after making a hole. Then it covered the hole leaving no trace at all.

The Female green turtle laid more than 50 eggs that time. And accordingly, the turtle can lay egg up to 200 eggs. Wow! It would really look amazing if all these eggs will survive and grow into beautiful turtles.

However, we felt sad that the nature of female turtle after laying eggs, just simply swim back to the water leaving the eggs behind. And it takes 45 days or more for these eggs to hatch. I can just imagine the danger that awaits these eggs when it's not protected.

Once the eggs hatch, they are on their own. The baby turtles or hatchlings race to have a taste of the sea.The experience of watching these hatchlings race to the sea is just "awesome". But the adventure for these hatchlings have just begun. And the real danger awaits them. Sad to say that from more that 50 eggs, only few survive in this phase. Some experts say that 1 in 1000 hatchlings will survive the adulthood- sad reality!

With the blogger's experience, we are moved and amazed with mother nature doing her own way in preserving and also to the local settlers who were responsible enough to let the turtles leave on their own ways, truly it was a majestic experience felt by the blogger in this world of experience.

The Turtle Islands, Tawi-tawi

Typical of low-island flora, the Turtle Islands marine macrobenthic flora (large, bottom-dwelling plants) is characterized by low species diversity. The populations are sparsely distributed on the fringing reef and do not form apparent or distinct communities. According to a 1998 report by Filipino seaweed expert Dr. Gavino Trono, algae (seaweeds) grow among the piles of dead coral branches, on dead portions of coral heads and mixed with seagrasses, which form very thin stands on sandy bottoms near the shore. Of the 62 species found in the area, 27 are members of the Chlorophyta (green algae), 22 are Rhodophyta (red algae) and six Phaeophyta (brown algae). The Turtle Islands' flora represents only a little more than one-third of that found at Santiago Island in Bolinao, Pangasinan, which supports 170 species. The seagrass community at the Turtle Islands is represented mainly by the pioneering species such as the Halophila ovalis, Cymodocea rotundata, Halodule pinifolia, H. uninervis and Syringodium isoetifolium. These species colonize small sandy patches near the shore. Intermixed with the seagrasses are some seaweed populations such asHalimeda macroloba, Udotea geppii and Caulerpa serrulata.

Turtle Island in Tawi-tawi

Turtle Island in Tawi-tawi

The seaweed and seagrass populations of the islands appear to be at their seral stages of development. This is shown by the presence of pioneer and ephemeral or opportunistic species. Almost all species have some known economic value. Only those food species, when developed, are likely to be of immediate economic benefit to the local populations, however. These include Caulerpa racemosa, C. lentillifera, and the Kappaphycus alvarezii. G. acerosais a known agar source, while K. alvarezii is a carrageenan source. These last two species are important raw materials for making gel-like desserts. G. acerosa, in particular, appears to have some commercial applications, but it does not seem to occur in the area abundantly enough for commercial harvest and utilization.

Typical of most disturbed low-lying small island ecosystems, the terrestrial flora of the Turtle Island groups namely Boan, Lihiman, Great Bakkungan, Taganak and Baguan is a mosaic of remnants of sea coast or strand vegetation and ornamental and weed species attendant to agricultural and human settlement areas.

                                                  Turtle Islands' vegetation

The vegetation of the islands is typically of limited growth, development and complexity, which is mainly a function of relatively recent geologic age and, more importantly, anthropogenic influence. Typical beach vegetation forms a narrow strip of woodland along the sandy and gravelly shores of the seacoast, gradually giving way to other types of forest formation depending on topography, size of the island and other factors. The principal woody species that occur in the Philippines in general and the Turtle Islands group in particular are Terminalia catappa, Desmodium umbellatum, Pandanus tectorius, Premna serratifolia, P. obtusifolia, Erythrina variegata, Barringtonia asiatica, Thespesia populnea, Hibiscus tiliaceus, Sterculia ceramica, Callphyllum inophyllum, Guettarda speciosa, Xylocarpus moluccensis, Pongamia pinnata and Scaevola frutescens.

Succession may be in more advanced stages in areas that are less influenced by human activity, such as slopes, enclosed area and the sanctuary, as well as in islands with larger areas. This is shown by the presence of pioneering tree species like Macaranga tanarius.

Agricultural crops, ornamental plants and associated weeds in human settlements comprise 60% of the plant species identified in all the islands. It is common practice for residents to propagate plants introduced from outside the Turtle Islands.Most species are widely distributed and no local endemic species have been observed

Symposium on Sea Turtles Conservation and Biology

The wives of fisherfolk of the Sulu Sea weave mats made of leaves of screwpine (Pandanus tectorius), a wide-ranging coastal plant found on Indo-Pacific islands. The strap-like leaves, often over a meter long, are boiled; and each leaf is then cleaned, removing the sharp spines on the margins and midrib. The strips are dyed, sorted and individually smoothed and straightened, before weaving begins. Each mat weaver creates a design based on her personal training and artistic preferences - no written designs or plans are used, so no two mats are identical. The design of each Pandanus mat is a true artistic expression of the weaver. Typical of this region, each sleeping mat is composed of a plain background, on which a more finely woven second mat with the design is sewn.

These mats are woven by women from Boan, Lihiman and Taganak Islands, Tawi Tawi Province, Philippines, a critical part of the Turtle Islands Heritage Protected Area (TIHPA). The most important nesting ground for green turtles remaining in Asia, the TIHPA is also one of the most important nesting areas for green turtles in the world. In addition to its biological importance, the TIHPA is the world's first and only trans-frontier protected area, resulting from a unique working relationship between the governments of Malaysia and the Philippines.

There are a total of nine islands in TIHPA, three under the jurisdiction of Sabah Parks, and six form part of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, Philippines. All three of the Sabah islands (Bakkungan Kechil, Gulisaan and Selingaan) have been managed as strict nature reserves since 1977. Of the six Philippine islands (Baguan, Taganak, Langaan, Lihiman, Boan and Great Bakkungan), Baguan was declared a Marine Turtle Sanctuary in 1982, while the remaining five islands host a total human population of nearly 2,500. Most of these people are Jama Mapun, originating mainly from the Cagayan de Tawi-Tawi area, south Sulu Sea; more recently, Tausug people have arrived from the Sulu and Tawi Tawi areas, between the Sulu and Celebes Seas.

Human densities (800 people/km) are four times as high on the Turtle Islands as in the rest of Philippines. Also, the intensity of turtle egg harvesting - although legally regulated - is extremely high, and overall hatchling recruitment on the five inhabited islands is low. Growing problems of land and fresh water availability, competition with highly mechanized fishing vessels, and isolation from the central government result in urgently needed social programs, including alternative sources of income. The production ofPandanus mats in commercial quantities is a potential alternative livelihood for the women of the Turtle Islands.

In an effort to initiate this alternative income source, the Ocean Ambassadors team developed a pilot project in which mat weavers of Boan, Lihiman and Taganak modified their traditional, large sleeping mats, and produced small-scale replicates as place mats for tables. A total of 800 place mats were shipped to Texas and included in the registration packages of the 19th Annual Symposium for the Biology and Conservation of Sea Turtles, held on March 2-5, 1999 in South Padre Island, Texas. Extra mats were sold at the Symposium and within a couple of days, they were all gone! The international participants were delighted with these beautiful handicrafts. 

RESULTS FROM HAWKSBILL TURTLE TRACKING (2000/2001)
(Data courtesy of Sabah Parks, Malaysia and National Marine Fisheries Service)






Marina
Transmitter attached October 6, 2000 on Gulisaan Island, Sabah Turtle Islands, Malaysia. Track based on good position calculations received from October 6, 2000 to November 23, 2000.




Mariana
Transmitter attached January 9, 2001 on Gulisaan Island, Sabah Turtle Islands, Malaysia. Track based on good position calculations received from January 10, 2001 to April 12, 2001.

Sulu and Tawi-tawi Fauna (Endemic Species)

This ecoregion includes the main islands of Jolo (Sulu) and Tawitawi and the surrounding smaller islands from Sibutu up to but not including Basilan Island. The climate of the ecoregion is tropical wet (National Geographic Society 1999). There are apparently short (two-week) dry seasons in January and May on Tawitawi (Allen 1998). Vegetation types in the Sulu Archipelago originally included beach forest, lowland rain forest, scrub forest, and mangroves. Unlike that of Palawan, which is located between Borneo and the Philippines, the Sulu Archipelago's fauna is not Sundaic (Allen 1998) and, though rather small, is poorly known biologically (L. Heaney, pers. comm., 2000). Palawan was the main pathway for immigrants from Borneo to the Philippines, and the Sulu have many taxa that are identical to or derived from taxa in Mindanao. Even Sibutu, close to Borneo and separated from the rest of the Sulu by the Sibutu Passage, contains an avifauna more closely related to the Sulu than to Borneo (Dickinson et al. 1991).

Although there are some Sulu birds with Sundaic distributions, the avifauna of the Archipelago is essentially Philippine (Dutson et al. 1992). The Sulu hornbill (Anthracoceros montani) is one example of an animal whose likely closest relative, the black hornbill (Anthracoceros malayanus), is from Borneo. There is a cline of relatedness to Borneo as one moves north among the islands. Sibutu contains birds of Bornean origin that are not found on Tawitawi (Allen 1998). The Sulus (Sangasanga, Bongao, Simunul, Tawitawi) also support a population of slow loris (Nycticebus coucang), a Sundaic primate that is not found in the remainder of the Philippines (Heaney 1986). There is one endemic mammal in the ecoregion . The Tawitawi Island rat (Rattus taitawiensis) is considered vulnerable (IUCN 2000) . Generally all of these emphasizes that the Sulu and Tawi-tawi island is a potential faunal region.

The ecoregion overlaps exactly with the Sulu Archipelago EBA. The EBA contains nine restricted-range birds, four of which are limited to the Sulus. All the restricted-range birds are forest species. Nine bird species qualify to near endemic to this ecoregion and four of these are endemic (Kennedy et al. 2000; table 2). Included in the ecoregion are the critically endangered Sulu bleeding-heart (Gallicolumba menagei), Tawitawi brown-dove (Phapitreron cinereiceps), and Sulu hornbill (Anthracoceros montani), and the endangered blue-winged racquet-tail (Prioniturus verticalis).

Sulu bleeding-heart (Gallicolumba menagei) 

Gallicolumba menagei is endemic to the Sulu archipelago in the Philippines. It is known by just two specimens taken on Tawi-tawi in 1891, when it was described as extremely rare. The only evidence of its continued existence derives from unconfirmed local reports in 1995. Local reports claim that it was quite abundant before the 1970s, but had declined dramatically and is now only rarely seen. Visits to Tawitawi in February and June 2009 did not produce any records of the species , and conversations with trappers and other local people have failed to find anyone familiar with the species (R. Hutchinson in litt. 2012).

Tawi-tawi brown-dove 
(Phapitreron cinereiceps) 

Phapitreron cinereiceps is endemic to the Sulu archipelago in the Philippines, where it is restricted to the island of Tawitawi and adjacent Sanga-sanga (Collar et al. 1999). On Tawitawi, there are recent records from four sites, including Languyan, Lubbuk and Tarawakan. On Sanga-sanga, it was recorded at one site in c.1987, but is almost certainly extinct there as the island retains virtually no forest. It was common at Tarawakan in 1996 and early 2008 (D. Allen in litt. 2008). The Tawitawi population is assumed to be very small, but the species is apparently shy and, as such, may not be as rare as feared.

Sulu hornbill (Anthracoceros montani)

This species is endemic to the islands in the Sulu archipelago in the Philippines. Described as common to abundant in the late 19th century, it has undergone drastic decline, and persists with certainty only on Tawi-tawi. Recent evidence suggests that its population is extremely low, perhaps numbering fewer than 20 pairs in the main mountain range. During a visit in February and June 2009, four individuals were reported in contiguous areas over two days on Tawi-tawi (I. Sarenas in litt. 2010). Local reports from 1995 suggested that it may visit the small islands of Tandubatu, Dundangan and Baliungan, and are unlikely to sustain resident populations. 

Blue-winged racket-tail (Prioniturus verticalis) 

The blue-winged racket-tail, palette des sulu, or lorito-momoto de las sulu (Prioniturus verticalis) is a species of parrot in the Psittaculidae family. It is endemic to Tawi-tawi island in the Philippines. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical mangrove forests. It is threatened by habitat loss.

Mantanani scops-owl
 (Otus mantananensis)

Mantanani scops-owl  is a species is listed as Near Threatened because there are some indications that its very small range is occupied by a moderately small, fragmented population which is undergoing a continuing decline owing to forest loss and degradation. However, little is currently known about the species's population size and structure, and the impact of threats, and its population is not regarded as severely fragmented or restricted to a few locations.

Yellowish bulbul (Ixos everetti)
Although this species may have a restricted range,  is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence <20,000 km2 combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). The population trend appears to be stable, and hence the species does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). This species is evaluated as Least Concern.

Celestial monarch 
(Hypothymis coelestis)

This species, the Celestial monarch is declining rapidly as a consequence of widespread and continuing reductions in the extent and quality of lowland forest. This is causing severe fragmentation of its presumably small population, qualifying it as Vulnerable.

Grey Imperial pigeon

This species, Grey Imperial pigeon, occupies a very small range, currently occurring at perhaps fewer than ten locations. Its range, habitat and numbers are known or inferred to be in decline owing to the increasing conversion of natural forests to palm plantations. These factors qualify it as Vulnerable.

Several widespread but threatened species also occur on the islands, including the critically endangered Philippine cockatoo (Cacatua haematuropygia) and vulnerable rufous-lored kingfisher (Todirhamphus winchelli) (Collar et al. 1999; Stattersfield et al. 1998).

The critically endangered Philippine crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis) was historically found on Jolo (as well as Luzon, Mindoro, Masbate, Samar, Negros, Busuanga, and Mindanao), but the only remaining populations are found on Mindoro, Negros, Mindanao, and Busuanga. The current wild population may be approximately 100 nonhatchlings (Ross 1998).

As of Sulu and Tawi-tawi's capability to hold large varieties of species, there is no question that the region is a potentially-able archipelago. Influenced by human activities and other factors, the Sulu and Tawi-tawi island species, either native or endemic are both in zenith of danger and threats.