Rare White Monkey Sighted in Sultan Kudarat; Stricter Protection Measures Implemented

PROTECTED WILDLIFE A rare white Philippine long-tailed macaque is seen in a forest in Senator Ninoy Aquino, Sultan Kudarat. —DENR-12 photo KORONADAL CITY, SOUTH COTABATO, Philippines — Authorities have imposed stricter measures to protect a rare white Philippine long-tailed macaque sighted in the mountains of Senator Ninoy Aquino (SNA), Sultan Kudarat. The animal's habitat has been temporarily closed to the public. The monkey was spotted in a forested area in Barangay Bugso on July 1 and captured on video by tour guide John Danda, who reported the sighting to authorities. A resident of SNA said the white monkey has been regularly roaming the area since 2016 and is often seen around 6 a.m. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Region 12 (DENR-12) and the SNA local government agreed to immediately close the monkey’s habitat temporarily to prevent people from disturbing the animal. Environment and local officials said the increased public attention, if left unchecked, could expose the species to disturbance, illegal hunting, poaching, collection, or wildlife trafficking. SNA Mayor Rafael George Flauta III immediately ordered the temporary closure of the area where the monkey has frequently been observed to minimize disturbance and prevent illegal wildlife collection and other threats. Barangay Bugso Chair Eva Labi said the village immediately implemented the mayor’s directive by closing off the area where the monkey was sighted. Labi urged the public not to harm the monkey and protect its habitat. A DENR-12 assessment found the monkey’s brown eyes suggest it may have leucism, rather than albinism. However, DENR-12 Executive Director Maria Elvira Lumayag said wildlife experts must first verify this condition. —WITH A REPORT FROM AMIEL M. CAGAYAN