About Us
Katala Foundation Inc. (KFI) works with local communities in the Philippines, most especially in Palawan, to conserve the Palawan Forest Turtle through in-situ and ex-situ conservation measures, scientific research, community outreach, conservation education and capacity building of stakeholders.
KFI set up the Philippine Freshwater Turtle Conservation Program (PFTCP) in Dec. 2006 which implements several conservation measures to protect this Critically Endangered turtle. It supports the conservation of the Palawan Forest Turtle through research, habitat protection, conservation breeding, and conservation education.
KFI also works with local communities in Philippines to protect the Philippine Cockatoo through scientific research, community outreach and conservation education. In order to protect and conserve the Philippine Cockatoo, KFI initiated the Philippine Cockatoo Conservation Program (PCCP) in 1998 which involves the protection and rescue of Philippine Cockatoos in several conservation sites.
ASAP Species That We Work On
What We Do
Philippine Freshwater Turtle Conservation Program (PFTCP)
The PFTCP was institutionalized in late 2006. It has three main objectives: Conservation, Research, and Education.
Conservation
The PFTCP aims to conserve the Palawan Forest Turtle populations and habitats through:
- Development and establishment of facilities for conservation breeding, captive management and rescue – KFI manages the only range assurance colony of the Palawan Forest Turtle
- Providing assistance in identifying areas that require protection and implementing measures for protection and sustainable development in these areas
- Assisting in wildlife law enforcement and information dissemination
- Conducting experimental soft release of turned-over, donated, confiscated or captive bred freshwater turtles
Research
The PFTCP conducts scientific research on the biology and management of the species and its habitat, threats and conservation solutions (such as habitat conservation and restoration techniques) of the Palawan Forest Turtle.
Education
KFI educates and capacitates stakeholders of PFTCP on natural resource management and conservation, rehabilitation and restoration of habitats and environmental awareness. Under the PFTCP, KFI:
- Conducts environmental education on the status and threats of Philippine freshwater turtle species for key stakeholders
- Celebrates World Turtle Day in the Philippines
- Capacitates local communities that are concerned with turtle conservation
- Disseminates information on Philippine freshwater turtles and conservation and protection issues through multimedia
- Established the Katala Institute for Ecology and Biodiversity Conservation (KIEBC) in Narra, Palawan for biodiversity education and research
For more information on the PFTCP, see KFI’s annual report here.
Philippine Cockatoo Conservation Program (PCCP)
The PCCP has been an ongoing project of the KFI since 1998. Under the PCCP, a multitude of measures have been implemented to conserve the Philippine cockatoo. These include warden schemes employing ex-poachers, nest protection, protected area management, education, community outreach, habitat restoration, rescue and reintroduction.
Initially only conducted on Rasa Island Wildlife Sanctuary, the PCCP has now established itself in five different high priority conservation sites in the Philippines:
- Culasian Managed Resource Protected Area, Rizal, Palawan
- Rasa island Wildlife Sanctuary, Narra, Palawan
- Omoi and Manambaling Cockatoo Reserves, Dumaran, Palawan
- Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm, Puerto Princesa, Palawan
- Pandanan, Balabac
Philippine Cockatoo Translocation Project (PCTP)
The PCTP, a project under the PCCP, aims to identify and assess suitable translocation sites for the Philippine cockatoo in order to establish a long-term and sustainable cockatoo population.
Where We Work
Philippines
Photo Credits
Featured image: Katala Foundation Inc.