Senior Officials from Sulu Garden Foundation, Inc. (SGF) visited WVSU-CAF last April 7, 2022, to discuss possibilities for cooperation in the conservation of endangered wildlife species.  Among the delegation were the President, Dr. Jonathan R. Matias together with the Vice President, Dr. Araceli Q. Adrias and their Senior Science Officer, Ms. Norielle Diamante.

The Campus Administrator of WVSU-CAF, Dr. Dominador L. Lisao together with the Director of the WVSU Wildlife Conservation Center, Dr. JB Ian G. Bullo, and the IZN focal person, For. Rod Reynan G. Laspiñas interfaced with them.

During their visit, Dr. Matias explained that they are planning to apply for international grants to implement projects focusing on the conservation of endangered wildlife. Hence, they are interested to establish a mutual partnership with WVSU-CAF because of the wildlife in WVSU-WCC.

At present, the center is home to seven (7) wildlife species which include the Visayan Tarictic Hornbill (Penelopides panini), Walden’s Hornbill (Rhabdotorrhinus waldeni), Visayan Warty Pig (Sus cebifrons), Visayan Spotted Deer (Rusa alfredi), Visayan Leopard Cat (Prionailurus javanensis sumatranus), Civet Cat (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus) and Long-tailed Macaque (Macaca fascicularis). The first four are all critically endangered and are also endemic since they can only be found within the Islands of Negros and Panay. WVSU-WCC is also known as the first facility that has successfully bred the species of Walden’s Hornbill in captivity. The center also had successfully produced a hatchling in 2020.

After a productive discussion about the wildlife species in WVSU-WCC and the possible locations of wild populations in their natural habitat, the team from SGF promised to schedule another visit for further discussions on how to proceed with the partnership.

SGF is a non-profit corporation duly registered with the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission with their office address at Zulueta Avenue, National Highway, Miag-ao, Iloilo. Their primary areas of interest include conservation sciences, heritage preservation and community development.

They are currently conducting surveys of streams and creeks in Miag-ao to identify flora and fauna. Later, they plan to expand to critical mountain forest areas in collaboration with DENR and WVSU-CAF in their interest to ensure the conservation of endangered animals in Panay.