The Tamaraw.This is also known as the Mindoro Dwarf Buffalo.
It is endemic to the island of Mindoro, Philippines.
The tamaraw was originally found all over Mindoro, from sea level up to the mountains (2000 meters above sea level), but because of human habitation, hunting, and logging, it is now restricted to only a few remote grassy plains and is now a highly endangered species.
Distinguishing characteristics versus the carabao:
it is slightly hairier, has light markings on its face, is not gregarious, and has shorter horns that are somewhat V-shaped.
It is the largest native terrestrial mammal in the country.
it is slightly hairier, has light markings on its face, is not gregarious, and has shorter horns that are somewhat V-shaped.
It is the largest native terrestrial mammal in the country.
As of this writing, only 274 tamaraws were counted by the Tamaraw Conservation Program (TCP) in the island of Mindoro, Philippines.
Can you help save the species?
Photo above was when we visited the TCP Gene Pool in Mindoro to see Kali, one-half of the remaining tamaraws left in this place.
Can you help save the species?
Photo above was when we visited the TCP Gene Pool in Mindoro to see Kali, one-half of the remaining tamaraws left in this place.
a link given by Mar below:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.fieldmuseum.org/vanishing_treasures/V_Tamaraw.htm
It states -
One of the most distinctive and seriously endangered mammals in the world, the tamaraw of Mindoro Island probably numbers fewer than two hundred individuals.
My friend Keen has written about the how-to-see part here:
ReplyDeletehttp://gogobibo.wordpress.com/2010/02/24/roadtrip-buddy-how-to-see-a-tamarraw-in-occidental-mindoro/
A bunch of photos on the day we went to see it are posted here from his site:
http://sharpangel.multiply.com/photos/album/146
Did you purposely wear red for your chance encounter with the buffo?
ReplyDeleteHe/she didn't seem to mind.
actually it skipped my mind...
ReplyDeleteI only remembered belatedly when Kali and Mimi both banged their heads and horns on the wires separating us...
hehehe..lucky that in reality, they would most probably be color-blind :-)