About Us

As an NGO, we are working since 1996 on preserving the rainforest on Panay Island, Philippines.

Our conservation activity target the last stands of lowland rainforest in the Western Visayas, which are under continuous threats from poaching, logging and illegal landuse.

We also support local communities and authorities.

ASAP Species That We Work On

What We Do

  • We employ rangers who protect the area from poaching and logging,
  • We have rescue and rehab centers for injured wildlife, some of which were illegally kept as pets
  • We established a nest guarding project for the Rufous-Headed Hornbill
  • We educate children on Panay and in Germany about rainforest conservation and ecosystem services
  • We run a scientific research station in the Northwest Panay Peninsula Natural Park
  • We also provide livelihood alternatives to communities living near the forest

Forest Rangers

We employ rangers to monitor the forest for illegal activities such as poaching and logging.

Particularly affected by poaching is the Critically Endangered Visayan Warty Pig, which is hunted and sold to locals and tourists alike as a delicacy. The regular patrols of our ranger team discourages poaching of the last populations of this endemic pig species.

Rescue Centers

We operate three rescue centers in Northwest Panay, where confiscated poached birds and other injured animals are cared for until they are healthy. When our care is no longer necessary, they are released back into the wild.

Guarding of Nests

We hire locals as nest guards to protect the nests of the Critically Endangered Rufous-Headed Hornbills from poachers who sell the chicks as well as adult birds for profit. Poachers are indirectly reducing the birds’ populations because nests are destroyed due to logging. Birds like hornbills are important for the preservation of the local fauna, since they function as seed dispersers.

Research

The focus of our research is the conservation of endangered animal and flora species to ensure their occurrence in the wild. Moreover, it is motivated by the desire to understand the functioning of a complex ecosystem in a tropical setting on an archipelago that ranks first in the world in terms of biodiversity per unit surface area.

The Bleeding Heart Pigeon was first discovered and studied on Panay by our organization in 1996. This Critically Endangered pigeon is currently being studied by one of our partners, the Bristol Zoological Society.

We do education about nature and environment for Philippine and German students.

Livelihood projects

We offer alternative lifestyles to people who would have to rely on illegal activities to support their families. Projects vary over time, and are heavily dependent on additional funding.

Reforestation

We operate seedling nurseries with at times over 25,000 seedlings of native trees. These seedlings are later planted on denuded slopes and at the edge of existing forests. Also, we try to reconnect forest areas that have been disconnected by logging.

Where We Work

We work in Panay, Philippines. the Philippines are a Biodiversity hotspot

Contact Details

Iloilo-Antique Road, Pandan, Pandan, 5712 Antique, Philippines

Web & Social Media

Photo Credits

Holly Mynott