ABOUT
Ever since the implementation of Republic Act (RA) 9147, also known as the Wildlife Act, wildlife specimens confiscated by enforcement agencies in Palawan have been turned over to the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff (PCSDS) for custody, as mandated by the principles of RA 7611 (SEP Law) on the protection of Palawan’s biodiversity. Through the years, the increase of wildlife species in custody has created new opportunities for research and education; thus, the establishment of the Palawan Biodiversity Resource Center (PBRC)– a joint project of the PCSD and USAID.
The PBRC is a size infrastructure or facility located at Brgy. Irawan, Puerto Princesa City. and serves as the home of confiscated and turned-over biodiversity resources to prevent their utter deterioration.
The PBRC is also a dynamic space for research, development, and conservation studies. Here, students, researchers, and experts in morphological, biochemical, and molecular studies, biology, ecology, life history studies, and ethology can work together to support the active study of Palawan’s biodiversity.
While simultaneously serving as a source of knowledge and awareness among Palawenos, helping them realize that our wildlife resources are a cut above the rest.
VISION
A center where morphological reference of Palawan endemic and threatened species with global importance can be exhibited; knowledge of Palawan’s biodiversity, as resources of its people, can be continuously studied, verified, collated, documented and appropriately disseminated to all stakeholders, for educational and socio-economic development (research and education center).
MISSION
Our mission is to engage local communities in biodiversity conservation efforts through showcasing Palawan’s endemic and threatened species with global significance. This center is a great space for everyone to learn and study aboutt Palawan’s wildlife and biodiversity, and what we can do to help protect Palawan as a biosphere reserve.
GALLERY
These are high-resolution images of more than 200 species of wildlife displayed at the PBRC.
Specimen
Preservation
All specimens under the custody of the PCSDS are classified and labeled with proper protocol and standards. Moreover, specimen preservation methods include dry, cold, wet, and microscopical methods to ensure long-term use of the specimens.
Relevant information is documented in the Biodiversity Information Database (BID) and is based on existing literature and research. The BID is available for all researchers and individuals who want to study and understand a particular wildlife species in the exhibit.
Specimen collections at the facility provide information on species diversity and habitat changes, which are gathered through fieldwork, documentation, and secondary data. This means the specimens per se serve as a ready reference for verification to those involved in taxonomic, distributional, and ecological observations. A fundamental principle in scientific works is that others can verify observations by one worker. That process is simplified due to the accessibility of the relevant specimens in the exhibit through the BID.
Regarding the maintenance and curation of specimens, appropriate measures are applied to protect against environmental threats such as relative humidity, temperature, radiation, and vibration. Moreover, proper handling techniques for special categories of specimens like insects, dry-stored invertebrates, and wet-preserved specimens, among others, are implemented. Regular cleaning processes for specimens are also performed to maintain the integrity of all specimens.
DIORAMA
The PBRC also features a built-in “Diorama” depicting a typical Palawan environment rich in wildlife.
The diorama features a scenic representation of the Palawan forest and sea ecosystems, displaying the colorful three-dimensional wildlife species models. This entire piece is designed to catch the attention of anyone who walks by.
Palawan’s very own Pangolins (Manis culionensis), infamous for its species reputation of being the most trafficked mammal in the world, various ungulates such as the Calamian Deer (Axis calamianensis), an endangered species of deer found only in the Calamian Islands of Palawan, and the Palawan Bearded Pig (Sus Ahoenobarbus), the largest wild pig species in the Philippines are all present in the diorama.
Additionally, the diorama is decorated with various species of mammals such as the Palawan Bearcat (Arctictis binturong whitei), a canopy-dwelling omnivore that feasts on fruits, shoots, insects, rodents, and birds found on the upper layer of their ecosystem. The Asian Palm civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus) is known primarily due to the Kopi Liwak, which are coffee beans extracted from the feces of this animal. Finally, the Palawan Porcupine (Hystrix pumila), a member of the Old World porcupines (Hystricidae), is depicted as large, terrestrial rodents that possess spiny coverings on their backs to ward off potential predators. Endemic avian species of Palawan, such as Palawan Hill Mynah (Gracula religiosa palawanensis), the Red-vented Cockatoo (Cacatua haematophygia), the Palawan Hornbill (Anthracoceros marchei) and the Blue-naped parrot (Tanygnathus lucionensis) are likewise displayed in the diorama.
NEWS & UPDATES
News & Updates
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