I

n the 1970s days of the Ferdinand Marcos
presidency, the president was friendly
with Kenya and was gifted with a number of
African animals. Now they thrive on the
Calauit Island Game Preserve and Wildlife
Sanctuary. So for over 30 years now the
herds have roamed this vast island. It is the
Philippines major conservation showcase
for wildlife habitat and has the distinction
of being the first successful wildlife translocation experiment in Asia.
Seeing giraffe tracks going down the beach or seeing one towering along
with the palms is not unusual. Rangers will let visitors hand-feed the
giraffes. Other gazelles, zebra, local Calauit deer, mousedeer and a range
of wildlife can be seen on these plains. There are also some cages near a
rest area with local porcupines, freshwater crocodiles (highly endangered)
and the reclusive nocturnal bearcat. Pythons and some other colorful
snakes are also found here but are wild so not guaranteed. It’s great fun
and takes only about a half day for a visit.

by boat and have their merits.

112. Dimipac Island
     Icons:
     Location: NW of Dimyaka Island
     Depth: 6-50 ft. (2-15m)

A new dive site that doubles as a
dugong watching spot is Dimipac
Island, a short ride northwest of
Dimakya. The island is uninhabited
and has a very nice beach. The
sandy beach continues down into
sea grass beds and the dugongs
have been seen here grazing.
In front of the beach, the slopes

are mainly sea grasses with

scattered coral heads and sponges.

Look for Cassiopeia andromeda

(upside-down jellyfish) laying in the

sand. Sometimes decorator crabs

carry these jellies on their shells.

There is a nice path reef system

with tube sponges, nice sea

anemones, lots of roaming juvenile

catfish packs and many small

things. The big bonus is that a

dugong may be nearby grazing.

Keep an eye out for clouds of sand

as they really stir things up. If they

are eating they usually can be

approached and photographed.

Calauit Island

Nocturnal Philippine bearcat