Busuanga Island, Palawan, Philippines
Prioniturus platenae
Under the partnership of Dr. Manny Reyes, Kingfisher Park, Parrot International, Katala Foundation, Calamianes Expeditions & Ecotours, and the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) created a project in the Philippines to conserve the Blue-headed Racquet-tail parrot, Prioniturus platenae, local name “Kilit,” an IUCN listed vulnerable parrot with less than 9,999 left in the world. Kilit is endemic to the Philippines and only present in the province of Palawan. The Kilit is still seen in Busuanga, an island with an area of 87,500 ha. However, due to several factors (increase in population; rapid expansion of tourism; the Kilit considered an agricultural pest; Kilit habitat loss) poaching and killing has continued. Immediate action needs to be done to protect the Kilit or it faces extinction in Busuanga.
UPLB graduate student (Realubut) conducted a preliminary Kilit survey at Kingfisher Park located in Busuanga Island. She recommended a conservation management planthat has been adopted for Busuanga Island. To conserve the “Kilit,” the project is promoting partnerships with the municipality of Coron, tourism businesses, Philippine government agencies, universities, K-12 schools and local communities.
The Project has proposed a resolution for Coron to designate Kilit the municipal bird. The community action theme of the Project is “Regalo ng Kilit” (Gift of the Kilit). The first “Gift of the Kilit” was “Regalo ng Kilit” notebooks distributed to elementary, middle and high school students in the island, the second “Gift of the Kilit” was ‘Regalo ng Kilit” polo-shirts for teachers, and the third “Regalo ng Kilit” basketball tournaments. (Basketball is a very popular sport in the Philippines).
Blue-headed Racquet-tail parrot, Prioniturus platenae, local name ‘Kilit,’. Photo by Chito Malay
