If you happen to’ve ever dreamt about occurring an African safari, however are nonetheless frightened about journey and price range restrictions, fret not. Palawan has its personal unique little island the place you’ll be able to catch a glimpse of unbelievable wildlife: Calauit Island, a 3,700 hectare island that acts as a wildlife protect. It’s just lately reopened to vacationers once more, and its distinctive animal inhabitants has made it an attention-grabbing cease for these occurring a Coron tour.
What are the must-see sights on this nationwide park? What’s its historical past, and the way do guests get there? Maintain studying to study extra about this recreation protect!
After A Darkish Starting, The Locals Are Working Exhausting To Shield The Wildlife
Often called Calauit Island Nationwide Park, the park had a painful previous the place the Tagbanua individuals indigenous to the realm have been displaced by the Marcoses within the late ‘70s to make means for this non-public undertaking often known as “Little Africa”. Animals have been imported from Africa, allegedly to launch a brand new tourism enterprise – nevertheless it by no means acquired off the bottom.
The Tagbanua have been fortunately in a position to return in 2009, when the federal government awarded them an ancestral area title. This was the identical 12 months that the park opened for vacationer visits. Whereas years of inbreeding and compelled adaptation to a special atmosphere have been difficult to the imported animals, at the moment, their offspring freely roam the park and await curious guests.
Be taught Extra About The Species On This Island
Convey a digicam and cozy strolling sneakers as you discover Calauit Island! Your adventurous spirit will likely be rewarded with the sight of zebras, elands, and species which are native to Palawan reminiscent of civet cats and Calamian deer. The sanctuary can also be dwelling to 4 Philippine crocodiles and tortoises.
There was six various kinds of antelope on the island, however the inhabitants has died out over the previous few a long time regardless of greatest efforts to look after them. The largest attracts for vacationers listed here are often the majestic giraffes and the zebras. Trip the land rover and admire from a distance – whereas feeding them is actually allowed, it’s additionally a good suggestion to scale back their interplay with people to reduce the affect on the sanctuary.
There’s nonetheless a protracted technique to go in serving to these animals stay a wholesome and carefree life in the proper atmosphere. Nonetheless, with latest curiosity rising within the island as a vacationer vacation spot, there’s hope that issues might be rotated!
How To Get To Calauit Island Nationwide Park
Pondering of visiting this distinctive island sanctuary? If you happen to’re coming from Manila, take a flight heading to Busuanga airport. Nonetheless, in the event you’re staying in Coron or Busuanga for a Coron tour and including this park to your itinerary, you’ll be able to simply take a shuttle to the primary city space. From Coron city correct, you’ll be able to decide to constitution a personal boat heading to the island – the best choice for large journey teams, as this boat constitution will take you island-hopping to different close by islands.
Touring solo or simply with a handful of buddies? No worries: many journey companies on the town readily provide scheduled group excursions to this nationwide park.