The NGO dedicated to the binturong

Improving animal welfare

Ancien projet //

Help for wildlife sanctuary

From 2022 to 2024
Palawan Island, Philippines

The overall aim of this program was to improve the welfare of captive wild animals at the Palawan wildlife care center, by renovating outdated facilities and building new structures better suited to the physiological and behavioral needs of the residents.

  • Refurbishment of an aviary for the Luçon parrots in 2023.
  • Food diversification project with the creation and maintenance of an orchard/garden from 2023 to 2024 and the development of an insect farm (morios worms and cockroaches) in 2024.
  • Refurbishment of an aviary for 5 binturongs in 2024.
  • Refurbishment of a large aviary for religious mainates in 2024.
  • Refurbishment of an aviary for Palawan hornbills, Pickering carpophagus and parrots in 2024.
  • Creation of an enclosure for macaques in quarantine in 2024.

Les projets réalisés

Réfection d’une volière pour les perroquets de Luçon

2023

Projet de diversification alimentaire (création d’un verger/potager et développement d'un élevage d'insectes - vers de morios et blattes)

2023 - 2024

Projet de diversification alimentaire (création d’un verger/potager et développement d'un élevage d'insectes - vers de morios et blattes)

2023 - 2024

Réfection d’une volière pour 5 binturongs

2024

The challenge: a care center with limited financial, human and material resources

The PWRCC, Palawan's only wildlife center, opened its doors in 1987 in Puerto Princesa. Every year, it takes in over 300 animals injured or seized by local authorities, rehabilitating and releasing the majority of them. Despite their best efforts, however, some animals are no longer fit to return to the wild, and just over 300 remain at the center today. However, the 1987 infrastructures have not really evolved and are no longer adapted to the growing number of animals passing through the center. Faced with a lack of human, material and financial resources, the center is unable to remedy the problem: aviaries too small, dilapidated facilities, unsanitary quarantine, lack of hygiene and safety, shortage of nursing staff, inability to respect the animals' physiological conditions, etc.

The current enclosure of Ming-Ming, one of the center's binturongs - Puerto Princesa, Palawan Island, Philippines. Credit: R. Perrucaud

Goals: to improve animal welfare and increase the chances of rehabilitation in the wild

One of our volunteers working on a renovation project - Puerto Princesa, Palawan Island, Philippines. Credit R. Gspann

In order to improve the welfare of the captive animals, and to facilitate the work of the center in its program of rehabilitation in the wild of certain species, ABConservation had signed a partnership with the PWRCC and the local government with the aim of :

  • Calling on volunteers from all over the world to contribute their knowledge in various fields and help the center's employees with day-to-day tasks and construction work.
  • Provide training for personnel on subjects such as medical training, enrichment manufacturing, etc.
  • Improving medical care for injured animals and the welfare of captive animals.

Our action: mobilizing financial, material and human resources

Financial resources

The project relied mainly on the financial support of private individuals. Our team also worked on partnerships and sponsorships with companies for the purchase of building materials, as well as donations of veterinary equipment.

Material resources

With the purchase of equipment via fundraising, we have been able to improve the living conditions of some of our boarders by renovating certain enclosures and building new ones that are larger and better adapted to their needs.

To achieve these objectives, a list of projects and initiatives has been drawn up:

  • Creation of new aviaries for mainates, eagles and hornbills currently kept in the quarantine area.
  • Creation of a large flight aviary for bird rehabilitation.
  • Creation of new enclosures for civets and macaques currently in quarantine.
  • Complete construction of a new quarantine area to provide greater space for seized animals.
  • Acquisition of veterinary equipment, including restraint equipment.
  • Planting fruit trees to provide part of the animals' diet.
  • Installation of glass partitions in the current reptile area: visitors continue to touch the snakes through the fences.

An old eagle aviary being refurbished - Puerto Princesa, Palawan Island, Philippines. Credit: A. Debruille

Volunteers in action - Puerto Princesa, Palawan Island, Philippines. Credit R. Perrucaud

Human resources

We had the help of various volunteers, notably Liezl, for 1 year from 2022 to 2023, Dimitri, from 2023 to 2024, then Olie in 2024. They dedicated their time to renovating the PWRCC, and were supported by volunteers from Palawan State University.

In addition, an international volunteer program began in October 2019 to boost support for the care center. This program has enabled both professionals and beginners to contribute their help, knowledge, experience and know-how essential to the smooth running of the work.

The players on the ground: close collaboration between our volunteers and the center's employees

This program was the culmination of a friendship between PWRCC and ABConservation, driven by our two co-presidents, Pauline Kayser and Agathe Debruille. It could not have functioned without the dedication of PWRCC employees and ABConservation volunteers. A renovation committee was also set up in 2022 to meet the ever-increasing needs of the company.

Part of the PWRCC team - Puerto Princesa, Palawan Island, Philippines. Credit: R. Perrucaud