Wildlife Reserves in Philippines: Mapped Protected Landscapes and Animal Habitats

Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary

Explore the interconnected mudflats, reefs, and mangrove forest ecosystems

Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary stands as a key protected landscape in the Central Visayas, defined by its vast tidal flats and critical role in international bird migration patterns. This site features a unique mosaic of salt marshes, seagrass beds, and coral reef systems that support diverse coastal life within the low-lying terrain of the Olango Island Group.

Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary

Swamp forests and river basin geography in Agusan del Sur

Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary represents a crucial freshwater wetland complex within the Agusan River basin. The area is defined by its expansive swamp forests and semi-permanent floating lakes, which serve as essential migratory transit points and support an intricate network of aquatic ecosystems across the Mindanao region.

Calauit Safari Park

A conservation sanctuary within the Mimaropa region, Philippines.

Calauit Safari Park stands out as a unique wildlife reserve in the Calamian Islands, featuring a rare combination of African savanna animals and native Philippine wildlife. Its 3,700 hectares encompass a diverse array of tropical forests, grasslands, and mangrove-lined shores, reflecting a complex history of conservation and land management. This protected island ecosystem provides critical habitat for endangered species and serves as an important site for ecological recovery in the western Philippines.

Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary

Coastal landscapes, marine habitats, and island terrain

Spanning six islands at the maritime boundary of the Philippines and Malaysia, Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary is defined by its extensive nesting beaches and remnant forest. This protected area integrates marine and coastal habitats, ranging from the volcanic activity on Lihiman to the forested shores of Baguan, offering a unique look at the maritime geography of the Tawi-Tawi region.

Pantabangan–Carranglan Watershed Forest Reserve

Mountainous watershed landscapes in Northern Nueva Ecija

Spanning the meeting point of the Sierra Madre and Caraballo mountains, this protected wildlife reserve encompasses the massive Pantabangan Lake reservoir. The region provides a complex look at how natural forest ecosystems and large-scale water management infrastructure integrate within the Philippine landscape, offering a unique perspective on regional hydrology and botanical biodiversity.

Subic Watershed Forest Reserve

Examining the rainforest and savanna mosaic in the Zambales Biosphere Reserve.

Spanning over 6,000 hectares, this wildlife reserve represents a vital protected land area that connects the mountainous terrain of Mount Natib to the coastal environment of Subic Bay. Discover the geography of this former military territory, which now preserves a rare intersection of tropical forest and savanna ecosystems essential for regional biodiversity and watershed stability in the Philippines.

Ursula Island Game Refuge and Bird Sanctuary

An isolated wildlife reserve in the Sulu Sea, Palawan

The Ursula Island Game Refuge and Bird Sanctuary functions as a vital protected landscape, containing a rare mix of lowland rainforest and dense mangrove forests. Located offshore from the Palawan coastline, this seventeen hectare sanctuary provides essential nesting grounds and ecological refuge, illustrating the complex geography of small island conservation in the tropical Sulu Sea.

Cabadbaran-Santiago Watershed Forest Reserve

Protected watershed landscapes of the Diwata mountain range

Cabadbaran-Santiago Watershed Forest Reserve serves as a primary forest stronghold in Agusan del Norte. This protected area shields the headwaters of the Cabadbaran and Narog river systems, featuring a diverse topographical mosaic of steep ridges, forested gorges, and montane slopes that define the northern section of the Diwata mountain range.

Catanduanes Watershed Forest Reserve

Regional protected geography in the Bicol area of the Philippines.

Spanning over 26,000 hectares, the Catanduanes Watershed Forest Reserve is a defining geographic feature of the island. This reserve guards essential headwaters and diverse dipterocarp forest habitats, providing a critical study in how protected mountain terrain supports both regional hydrology and biodiversity conservation.

Rasa Island Wildlife Sanctuary

Integrated marine and terrestrial wildlife reserve in Palawan

Positioned in the Sulu Sea off the coast of Palawan, Rasa Island Wildlife Sanctuary protects a rare concentration of mangrove forests, coastal woodland, and reef flats. This compact land and sea reserve serves as an essential sanctuary for bird species and nesting marine turtles, offering a clear window into the biodiversity of the Palawan island province through its preserved island geography.