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CLOUD RATS CONSERVATION PROGRAMME

LEAD IMPLEMENTING ORGANIZATION :

Zoologischer Garten Berlin and Organization Zoological Society of London

COOPERATING INSTITUTION :

Department of Environment and Natural Resources

DATE STARTED :

May 10, 2000

FUNDING SOURCE :

Zoologischer Garten Berlin and Organization Zoological Society of London

BACKGROUND INFORMATION :

As early as October 1996, Mr. William Oliver, the Principal Foreign Coordinator of the Philippine Endemic Species Conservation Program, proposed the development of the "Philippine Cloud Rats Conservation Programme" among the DENR, Berlin Zoo (BZ) and London Zoo (LZ), thru a Memorandum of Agreement among the said parties. This interest was reiterated in May 1997 along with the proposed development also of a conservation programme for Philippine Bleeding-Heart Pigeons.

Finding merits in the proposal, PAWB signified willingness to collaborate with said Zoological Institutions in the development and implementation of the proposed programme. However, considering that the proposal did not emanate directly from said Zoos, PAWB in its letter of June 2, 1997 requested Mr. Oliver to submit Letter of Intent form said Zoos, as well as detailed proposal of the Programme and Letter of Acceptance form identified local collaborators.

From June 1997 to January 1998, letters of acceptance were received from four (4) major local collaborators (i.e. UPLB, UPD, WVSU and NFEFI) signifying their willingness to assist/collaborate in the implementation of the proposed Programme. A copy of the detailed proposal was received by PAWB on June 5, 1998, followed by the letter of Intent from Berlin Zoo in July 1998.

On these bases, PAWB drafted the MOA, initially with Berlin Zoo only. However in consideration of the representation made by Mr. Oliver, that London Zoo is very much interested in collaborating with the DENR on the proposed Programme, a tripartite MOA among the DENR and Berlin and London Zoo was drafted.

The tripartite MOA was signed on May 10, 2000.

OBJECTIVES :

* To determine the distribution and status of Philippine Cloud Rats in the wild, particularly in the Islands of Panay, Catanduanes, Marinduque, Mindoro, Luzon Mainland, Dinagat, Siargao, and/or in other priority areas as may be identified and agreed upon later by the Parties;

* To undertake basic ecological, biological and taxonomic studies on the species for their long-term management planning;

* To develop a captive breeding program for Philippine Cloud Rats, including the construction of appropriate breeding facilities in the Philippines and in abroad, with the initial facility for species of Panay origin to be established at the West Visayas State University-College of Agriculture and Forestry in Lambunao, Iloilo, and succeeding facilities to be established in London and Berlin Zoos and in other locations in the Philippines as may be identified and agreed upon;

* To assess selected habitats of the Philippine Cloud Rats for possible establishment as protected areas under NIPAS;

* To promote and facilitate technical training for appropriate Filipino researchers and other local personnel on biodiversity survey and other conservation-related researchers;

* To promote public awareness on Philippine Cloud Rats through the organization workshops/for a and production of educational materials; and,

* To formulate recommendations and strategies aimed at effectively and properly addressing the conservation needs of the species.