Improving knowledge to improve protection
PROGRAMME D'ETUDE DU BINTURONG //
BEARCAT STUDY PROGRAM
Palawan Island, Philippines
L’objectif général du projet est d’améliorer les connaissances sur l’écologie du binturong ainsi que sur le réel statut de sa population au travers d’études scientifiques alliant piégeage photographique et radio-pistage. Ces informations sont capitales afin de pouvoir créer un programme de conservation adapté.
# DONE
- Creating partnerships with local organisations such as government offices, universities and NGOs.
- Obtaining Official authorization for the research project.
- Creating a method of canopy camera trapping (5 to 20 meters high in the treetops) allowing to get a twofold increase in detection rate.
- Publishing a first scientific paper in “Our Palawan”.
- Participating in three national and international conferences to disseminate information
- Involving Filipino and French university students in the implementation of various research protocols.
# ONGOING
- Mapping the distribution of binturongs on Palawan Island through the multiplication of study sites.
- Ecological study of the binturong through the use of arboreal camera trapping.
# UPCOMING
Setting up a radio tracking study on two binturongs and collecting new behavioral data on the species.
Study on binturong diet.
Study on how binturongs use the forest.
The challenge: a difficult animal to study
The binturong, in addition to being little known by the general public, has been very little studied by scientists. The majority of available data on its behavior, reproduction or diet comes from studies in captivity and only three studies were conducted in the wild, which gives only a vague insight of the size of its territory, its diet or interactions between individuals. The main reason why scientists are reluctant to study this animal is that the binturong is particularly difficult to observe because of its natural behavior. Indeed, as it lives between 10 and 20 meters high and is mostly active at night, conventional study methods often fail to provide accurate and reliable information. But, being driven by its passion, it takes more to stop ABConservation’s team!
Goals: improving knowledge to improve protection
Through the Bearcat Study Program, the goal of ABConservation is to improve knowledge about specific aspects of binturong ecology as well as to estimate the remaining number of individuals in the forest of Palawan Island. This knowledge is crucial to establish a conservation program that perfectly meets the needs of the species, because how can we protect something we do not understand?
The implemented studies focus on three themes:
- Distribution and density of binturong populations in Palawan.
- Feeding and social behavior of binturongs in Palawan.
- Interactions between binturongs and Palawan forests.
Our actions: targeted studies
Implementation of a new method
The first two years of work were devoted to the implementation of an arboreal camera-trapping protocol, between 5 and 20 meters in height. Our team’s hard work resulted in considerably increased chances of observing binturongs by camera trapping.
Tree climbing- Langogan forest, Palawan island, Philippines. Credit M. Vergniol
Picture of a binturong obtained by camera trapping - Langogan forest, Palawan Island, Philippines
Study of binturong ecological preferences
Since February 2020, camera traps have been installed in various protected areas in order to highlight the preferences of binturongs in terms of environment and forest type. Data is currently being collected. It will allow us to assess the common characteristics in several areas in which the binturong is most frequently observed. We will be able to categorize the different habitats of Palawan, according to their adequacy to meet the needs of binturongs, and the selected features will be useful to restore areas that were initially hostile for this species.
Understanding the links between the binturong and the forest
Using data obtained by camera trapping, but also thanks to the tracking of wild individuals using GPS-equipped radio collars, we have started to collect a lot of data on the behavior of the binturong and how it uses its territory. This information is very varied in nature, as our objectives include identifying the species of trees used for shelter, for feeding or to give birth, but also determining the necessary vital space for a binturong individual.
Tous les résultats de nos études font l’objet de publications scientifiques dont la plupart sont libres d’accès. Pour plus d’informations, rendez-vous dans la partie scientifique.
Stakeholders in the field: an international and multidisciplinary team
The scientific team in the Philippines includes a total of five Filipino employees - Aymeric Dufresnoy, notre coordinateur de projet de recherche; Rollyna.M Domingo, notre assistante de recherche, Adok, Marlon, Tatay Gelly et Ruben, nos guides en forêt – et est dirigée par une française, la co-présidente et responsable scientifique de l’association, Agathe Debruille. Nous accueillons également une étudiante philippine au sein de l’équipe, Princess Joy Deriada, dont nous finançons le master en gestion de l’environnement. De nombreux bénévoles nous viennent régulièrement en aide. Nous tenons particulièrement à remercier Jacqueline Baut, Arvee Salazar et Dennis Van Rooyen pour leur soutien et leur engagement dans notre programme.
The project also draws its strength from its various partnerships and the people managing them: Atty Carlo B. Gomez and Myla S. Adriano (City-ENRO), Dr Tuquero (Palawan State University), Melinda and Chris Walsh (Sabuya Coffee Trading) and the entire team of Katala Foundation.
ABConservation
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