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Know the world over as the Philippines' last
ecological frontier, the province of Palawan harbors vast tracts
of tropical rainforests and huge expanse of marine wilderness.
Thick canopies of trees carpet mountain ranges running the
length of the mainland. Fringing reefs and coral atolls open a
new realm to discover under the clear waters surrounding this
archipelago of more than 1,700 islands. Ribbons of meandering
streams and rivers wind through the mountains, nurturing robust
stands of mangrove in the lowlands before flowing out to the
sea.
Palawan probably has more protected areas than any other
province in the Philippines. The Calauit Wildlife Sanctuary in
the northern Calamianes islands is home to exotic and endemic
species of animals that roam freely in its verdant hills and
plains. On the northern coastline, the El Nido Protected Area is
noted for its edible birds' nests and limestone cliffs. In the
middle of the Sulu Sea lies the Tubbataha Reefs, a pair of coral
atolls recently named as a World Heritage Site for its highly
diverse collection of fishes and other marine life. Along the
west coast, the St. Paul Subterranean National Park features
old-growth forests, cathedral caves, white sand beaches and one
of the longest underground rivers in the world. In the south,
Ursula Island is a haven for migratory and resident birds.
The entire province was proclaimed as Fish and Wildlife
Sanctuary in 1967. Palawan is the habitat of 232 endemic
species. Some of these unique creatures are the metallic-colored
peacock pheasant, the shy mousedeer, the cuddly bearcat, and the
reclusive scaly anteater. In the forests and grasslands, the air
resonates with the song of more than 200 kinds of birds. Over
600 species of butterflies flutter around the mountains and
field of Palawan, attracted to some1,500 flowering plants found
here. Endangered sea turtles nest on the white sand beaches, and
the gentle dugong feeds on the seagrass that abound Palawan
waters. |
