DENR reports rare wildlife sightings in Mount Apo, including endangered species

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Soccsksargen reported rare sightings of several wildlife species, including critically endangered squirrels and birds known locally as 'Ibong Adarna,' in forests around Mount Apo.

During a week-long biodiversity monitoring mission at the closed-to-public Mount Apo Natural Park (MANP), teams found Philippine trogons, Philippine pygmy squirrels, and Mindanao tree squirrels.

The Philippine trogon, revered by the Obu Manuvu indigenous people as an important bioindicator of ecosystem health, was sighted for the second time since last year.

For the first time, a Mindanao tree squirrel was documented in MANP, while the Philippine pygmy squirrel was observed during conservation efforts highlighting the park's ability to sustain various wildlife populations.

These sightings are crucial indicators of overall ecosystem health and underscore the importance of conservation efforts to preserve biodiversity within the natural park.