A RARE Philippine warty pig was spotted at Mount Apo during the Holy Week monitoring activity of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Davao from April 11 to 17, 2022.
In an online statement on Monday, April 18, DENR-Davao confirmed a sighting of an endemic Sus philippensis or Philippine warty pig, locally known as “baboy-ramo” or “baboy-ihalas” at the Mount Apo Natural Park.
Dr. Franklyn Buenaflor, assistant technical services division chief of Penro-Davao del Sur, told SunStar Davao that the event was the first sighting of a male warty pig in the peak area of Mount Apo.
Buenaflor said the sighting of the male Sus philippensis is considered to be a rare occurrence.
“Even up to now wala tayong document na actual sighting ng Philippine Warty Pig except now,” Buenaflor said.
“We have two Asean Heritage Parks in Davao Region, Mount Hamiguitan and Mount Apo, nakakita lang tayo ng warty pig through yung camera traps na nilalagay nila, but this one is a confirmed visual sighting so very possible na nag-increase ang kanyang population or safe haven sa kanya yung peak area,” he added.
By the standards of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, Buenaflor said the species is considered vulnerable due to its decreasing population and may be listed as an endangered species in the near future.
According to DENR-Davao, the presence of the warty pig indicates a progressive natural recovery of Mount Apo’s peak area. This means that the mountain's environment is a thriving habitat for the warty pig and other species.
The warty pig was spotted by teams from DENR-Davao, Provincial Environmental and Natural Resources Office and City Environment and Natural Resources Office of Davao del Sur, and partners from the local government unit and Protected Area Management Board during their annual Lenten climb monitoring.
The teams surveyed the premises of Mount Apo within Davao Region, including its peak, and established trails in Tamayong, Bansalan, Digos City, and Sta. Cruz. They also manned the designated entry points and campsites within the natural park to ensure enforcement of its trekking policies.
Given the vulnerability of wildlife from trekkers and human activities occurring at Mount Apo, DENR-Davao reminded mountaineers to keep their distance and refrain from feeding wild animals to keep them in their natural habitat.