The DOST-PCAARRD monitoring team and the project team in a courtesy call to Silliman University President Betty C. McCann. (Image Credit: FERD, DOST-PCAARRD)
One of the most endangered and endemic deer species in the world, the Philippine spotted deer is among the top five priority species in Negros-Panay Island for conservation and one of the flagship species of Philippine mammals. Ecologically, deer populations are key indicators of health in an ecosystem, keeping the population of the grassland in check, dispersing seeds, and serving as prey to secondary and tertiary consumers.
To conserve the Philippine spotted deer and increase its population, the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD), through the Forestry and Environment Research Division (FERD), launched the project, “Enhancing the conservation and breeding program of the Philippine spotted deer, Rusa alfredi using molecular-based approaches for natural resiliency,” during an inception meeting held at Dumaguete, Negros Oriental.
Photo of a captive-bred stock of Philippine spotted deer, Rusa alfredi, at CENTROP - Palinpinon. (Image credit: Silliman University)
With the leadership of biology department research coordinator Dr. Robert S. Guino-o and guidance of DOST Balik Scientist and faculty member Dr. Aye Mee F. Bartocillo, Silliman University (SU) aims to develop and enhance the species conservation program and captive breeding protocol for the critically endangered Philippine spotted deer, Rusa alfredi, using molecular-based approaches.
The activity was conducted last December 4, 2023, starting with a courtesy call to the SU President Betty C. McCann followed by a brief tour to the notable facilities of SU such as the molecular laboratory, Anthropology Museum, Biology Department, and Rodolfo B. Gonzales Museum of Natural History.
During the inception meeting, project details were discussed and expectations among key players involved in the implementation of the project were clarified. The meeting was attended by the project team led by Dr. Guino-o and Dr. Bartocillo along with Project Staff Gerald T. Marco, Dr. Nadia P. Abesamis, and Mr. Michael Lawton R. Alcala, SU Biology Department Chairperson. Aside from the project team, representatives from SU’s Business and Finance Department and Buildings and Ground Department were present as well.
The activity commenced with a site visit to Barangay Palinpinon SU Center for Tropical Conservation Studies (CENTROP) where living stocks of captive-bred Philippine Spotted Deer are being reared and monitored.
This project ultimately aims to support the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) program to reintroduce the said species to its original habitats in the Negros-Panay Island by understanding phylogenetic relationship using barcoding markers, estimating inbreeding frequency within and outside the SU CENTROP captive-bred stock using microsatellite markers, and investigating the species’ adaptive immune response through the histocompatibility complex class II (MHC) gene. It is hoped that this R&D initiative will increase awareness on the conservation of this endangered species.
This activity was organized by FERD led by its Director, Dr. Nimfa K. Torreta, together with key staff: Dr. Marcelino U. Siladan, Dr. Dalisay E. Cabral, and Dr. Christine D. Santiago.