BLOG: The Most TREASURED NATURAL JEWEL of Davao Oriental "Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary"

Zoren M. Dano, Kaila H. Gulleban and Nezi Jane Caberte

Travel and exploration has always been important for every people. Everybody needs to travel a little bit, to see new places, learn new things, to experience other cultures and people. Taste new foods, take in different scenery, enjoy new experiences and found out more about our world.

Now, seat and fasten your seat belts and relax. Come with us and witness The Most Treasured Natural Jewel of Davao Oriental "Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary."

It is a place where you can feel the mesmerizing beauty and scenery.The Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary represents a complete, substantially intact and highly diverse mountain ecosystem, in a significant biogeographic region of the Philippines. Its diversity of plants and animals include globally threatened species as well as a large number of endemic species including those species that exist only in the Philippines, only in Mindanao and only in the nominated property.

The fragile tropical “bonsai” forest that crowns the Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary epitomizes nature’s bid to survive in adverse conditions.

"BONSAI TREES"

Mount Hamiguitan is one of a few remaining tracks of forest where the critically endangered Philippine Eagle can be found.

"PAMANA" The Philippine Eagle

A reptile species seen along the trail, a beetle species resting on a fern. The Philippine Tarsier (Tarsius syrichta) (see the picture below) also makes its home within Mt. Hamiguitan. A Philippine Pit Viper (Trimeresurus flavomaculatus)(see the picture below) just outside of the pygmy forest. This species is endemic to Southeast Asia. A walking stick insect from the family Phylliidae (see the picture below), blends into its surroundings by using camouflage. Nannophya pygmaea (see the picture below), the world’s smallest dragonfly can be found in Mount Hamiguitan. Medinilla magnifica(see the picture below), is a species native to the Philippines and is commonly known as the Philippine orchid, though it is not an orchid. A yellow Spathoglottis orchid (see the picture below) found within the park. A blue colored mushroom (see the picture below) found within Hamiguitan’s mossy forest. Two site endemic flora species, meaning these two species can only be found in Mount Hamiguitan and no where else in the world. Mount Hamiguitan pitcher plant (Nepenthes hamiguitanensis)(see the picture below) and the Pantropical fern (Lindsaea hamiguitanensis)(see the picture below). A 5 hectare wide freshwater lake, locally called Tinagong Dagat (see the picture below), holds water during the rainy season but dries up during the dry months. The Dumagooc River Valley, one of two major rivers in Mount Hamiguitan. One of a number of different frog species we came across during our stay. Amphibians are known to be indicator species within ecosystems because of their sensitivity to changes in the environment. Seeing a diverse number of amphibians indicates that an ecosystem is relatively healthy. These creatures are just some of the endemic species found in Mt.Hamiguitan. If you want to go there, you will discover and explore one of a kind species of Mt. Hamiguitan.