Five critically endangered Philippine Cockatoos successfully translocated to Dumaran Island!

Katala Foundation Inc. (KFI) celebrates the translocation of five critically endangered Philippine cockatoos Cacatua haematuropygia from care at the Katala Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity Conservation (KIEBC) in Narra, Palawan, to Dumaran Critical Habitat on Dumaran Island, Palawan.

“Conservation translocation is one of the strategies to help recover the population of the Katala. Our Katala is fortunate to have the Dumaran Island Critical Habitat in place so we can supplement the low recruitment status of Philippine cockatoos on the island. Equally fortunate also because the Dumarenos are welcoming the idea of supplementation despite its fragmented remnant forests on the island,” says Indira Widmann, COO of Katala Foundation. Every step forward in protecting and increasing the populations of Philippine cockatoos marks a monumental change in the health of the country’s biodiversity.

After securing all necessary documents and completing rehabilitation and health checks, six individuals were transported to a pre-release aviary in DICH, where the birds were observed, acclimatized, and underwent anti-predator training for over five months. Five were ultimately found fit for release and are now roaming free, attempting to integrate with wild populations since their release in early September 2025. “This year’s translocation effort embraces the hope that using captive-bred Katala brings in their inherent knowledge to use artificial nest boxes that are installed in DICH. We have experimented on and installed artificial nest boxes for Katala and other cavity-nesting birds, since most lowland forests, particularly in Dumaran, are fragmented and limited in nest trees. It is our hope that the captive-bred ones will start occupying these ANBs, as they have been raised in them while at our facility in Narra,” says Peter Widmann, Species Conservation Director of KFI. Three of the five released this year were captive-bred, while two were rescued birds that were rehabilitated. The release was witnessed by Forest Ranger Jomar P. Hernan of MENRO-Dumaran.

Philippine cockatoos, locally known as Katala or Abukay, serve as important seed dispersers that aid in forest regeneration. Together with the local government of Dumaran, KFI endeavors to restore lowland forests and establish wildlife corridors within the Dumaran Island Critical Habitat. “We are doing all we can to plant native trees, especially those that provide food and nesting sites for our local wildlife, and our local wildlife wardens, who are supported financially by our local government, are taking the lead in these efforts. To pursue our shared vision for Dumaran, we hope to complete our updated management plan for the Critical Habitat that will benefit not only our wildlife and the integrity of our ecosystems but also the Dumarenos who take pride in doing their share. We are also reaching out to all Dumarenos through our 4Ps to spread this information campaign,” MENRO Edwin Caabay comments.

Dumaran Island Critical Habitat, although consisting of only a few isolated forest patches and strongly supported by the local government of Dumaran since its declaration in 2014, hosts various avian and mammalian species listed as threatened by the IUCN, including the Palawan hornbill (Vulnerable), Philippine cockatoo (Critically Endangered), Philippine pangolin (Critically Endangered), and Palawan forest turtle (Critically Endangered).

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Municipality of Dumaran, through the leadership of Hon. Mayor Herrera, for their long-standing support to the Philippine Cockatoo Conservation Program (PCCP), and to all our partner donors here and abroad.

For more information, please contact Indira Widmann at [kficacatua2016@gmail.com](mailto:kficacatua2016@gmail.com).

Editor’s Note:

• Katala Foundation, Inc. (KFI) uses the endemic Philippine Cockatoo as its flagship species to fulfill its vision of conserving biodiversity through active community involvement.
• The Philippine Cockatoo Conservation Program (PCCP) is KFI’s pilot program, initiated in 1998 on Rasa Island in the Municipality of Narra, Palawan, Philippines.