We have been working with local communities in the Philippines since 2014. Together with our partners, we aim to reduce illegal hunting and protect the remaining forests of Panay and Negros Islands.
These forests are the last home of our flagship species, the Critically Endangered Negros bleeding-heart dove and Visayan warty pig, as well as other threatened species such as the Visayan tarictic hornbill and the Philippine spotted deer.
Our Philippines projects
In collaboration with our partners, PhilinCon, we are carrying out a three-year project funded by the Darwin Initiative.
The aim of this project is to investigate causes for the hunting of the Visayan warty pig and implement community-led mitigations in and around the Northwest Panay Peninsula Natural Park.
Working with 8 communities, we have provided training and start-up materials to support livelihoods including chicken farming, rice retail, and vegetable farming
We fund 13 forest rangers to monitor the forest and report illegal activities
Our field team conducts monthly field surveys to assess wildlife populations
Implementing a behaviour change campaign to instil pride in local species
The Talarak Foundation leads breed-for-release programmes for some of the most threatened species from the central Visayas, including the Negros bleeding-heart dove, the Visayan warty pig and the Visayan spotted deer.
We are advising Talarak on conservation breeding practices to ensure animals in human care retain and develop natural behaviours, improving animal welfare and their suitability for release into the wild.
Image credit: Dylan McKenzie (Research Volunteer at Talarak Foundation)
Development of several research projects to inform and improve conservation breeding of Negros bleeding-heart doves and other species
Funded and advised construction of larger aviary for Negros bleeding-heart doves to support behavioural studies
Siliman University’s Center for Tropical Conservation in Dumaguete, Philippines, is a breeding centre for several threatened native species, and was the first to breed the Negros bleeding-heart dove in captivity.
Our charity provides funding and expertise to improve the captive management and welfare of these animals.
Bristol Zoological Society’s Head of Veterinary Services & Conservation Medicine, Michelle Barrows, and Mammal Keeper, Imogen Callender, visited the centre in 2023 to conduct health and welfare assessments and provide advice on animal husbandry, including enrichment and diets
We are funding and advising on the implementation of biosecurity measures to protect CENTROP’s Critically Endangered Visayan warty pigs from deadly African Swine Fever
Becca is a conservation scientist with particular interests in animal behaviour, human-wildlife interactions, and community-led conservation.
Becca completed her PhD at Newcastle University, where she investigated the viability of human-dominated landscapes for supporting lion populations. Prior to this, Becca worked on a human-elephant coexistence project and conducted long-term monitoring of elephant populations.
She joined Bristol Zoological Society in 2022 and is the Programme Lead for the Philippines conservation programme.
Ricardo is an animal behaviour scientist with a special interest in animal welfare and ex-situ conservation. Ricardo joined Bristol Zoological Society in 2023, after completing his PhD on parrot behaviour and welfare at the University of Birmingham.
Ricardo has previously worked with multiple zoos and other organisations in animal care, research, and conservation positions, including the Iberian lynx reintroduction programme in Portugal.
Sam is a wildlife ecologist with a focus on applied conservation techniques in tropical environments. He oversees the Society's biodiversity monitoring work in the Philippines.
Sam also has research interests on the interface between drones and conservation, and has experience working with a range of threatened taxonomic groups, including rhinoceros and Malagasy amphibians.
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