The Greater Negros–Panay faunal region of the Philippines is known to harbour at least five large mammal species, two of which (the Visayan spotted deer Rusa alfredi and the Visayan warty pig Sus cebifrons) are found nowhere else. Habitat loss, alteration and fragmentation as a result of anthropogenic activities are a major problem in this region and, consequently, these endemic mammals are confined to forest fragments that cover only 7% of the original extent of this recognized biodiversity hotspot.
Fragmented populations of the Critically Endangered Visayan warty pig survive only on Negros, Panay and possibly Masbate, and are thought to number <1,000 in total. The Endangered Visayan spotted deer is believed to be restricted to west Panay and a few scattered remnants of forest on Negros, and is thought to number no more than 2,500. Despite their ecological importance and relatively small geographical ranges the distribution of these two species have only been vaguely described, and systematic field surveys and monitoring are practically non-existent. Fieldwork has been hampered, in part, by the nocturnal and elusive behaviour of these animals and their preference for rugged slopes of dipterocarp forest that are typically inaccessible to humans. The availability of camera traps now facilitates monitoring for such species but this methodology had not previously been used specifically for the large mammal fauna of this region.
To gather information on the presence of large mammals a small team entered the interior of North Negros National Park in 2012. We conducted a camera trap survey during March–April 2012 using 20 cameras, which were each left in place for 9–11 days for a total of 185 camera-trap days. The survey produced a total of 1,455 photographs. In 1,357 photographs no animals were registered and two were of small birds. The remaining 86 photographs were of Asian palm civet, Philippine long-tailed macaque, Visayan spotted deer and Visayan warty pig. These were the first images of the Visayan spotted deer and the Visayan warty pig to be obtained in the wild. The survey demonstrates that camera trapping can provide reliable wildlife data with few personnel over a relatively short period of time in protected areas in the Philippines.
Previous biodiversity assessments on the edges of North Negros National Park have highlighted the anthropogenic threats of encroaching agriculture, illegal logging and hunting, all of which threaten the integrity of the Park. During our study we repeatedly came across evidence of illegal hunting activity throughout the Park, including within the forest interior. On several occasions we observed groups of hunters and encountered evidence of temporary camp sites. Discussions with local forestry staff and field guides from a local mountaineering society indicate that hunting activity is common, with individuals making forays into the Park on at least a monthly basis, and is increasing in frequency.
The evidence collected shows that immediate, increased conservation management action is required to protect the large mammal diversity of North Negros National Park. We urge the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources and international and national nature conservation organizations to direct their attention to the this Park, which is of global importance because of its endemic, threatened large mammal fauna.
Based on the findings of this assessment we make the following recommendations: (1) enhanced management of North Negros National Park is required, with associated increased budgetary resource allocations; (2) increased monitoring and control of illegal captures of Visayan spotted deer and Visayan warty pig are required within the Park; and (3) the application of camera-trap monitoring for these species is required as this methodology addresses the logistical difficulties that have hampered previous efforts. These recommendations have been shared with the appropriate authorities, to help inform future conservation action focussed on these threatened large mammals.
