List of threatened species of the Philippines facts for kids

The Philippines is home to many amazing plants and animals! But sadly, some of these unique species are in danger of disappearing forever. This list tells you about the plants and animals in the Philippines that are considered threatened.

Threatened means they are at risk of becoming extinct. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) helps us understand how much danger they are in. They use different levels:

• Vulnerable (VU): These species are likely to become endangered if we don't protect them.
• Endangered (EN): These species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
• Critically Endangered (CR): These species are in extreme danger of becoming extinct very soon.
• Extinct (EX): These species have already disappeared from the Earth.

This list focuses on species that are vulnerable, endangered, critically endangered, or recently extinct. It doesn't include species that are "near threatened" (meaning they might be at risk soon) or "data deficient" (meaning we don't have enough information about them).

Animals in Danger

Here are some animal species in the Philippines that need our help:

Vulnerable Animals

The Philippine eagle-owl is a large, beautiful bird.

The green humphead parrotfish helps keep coral reefs healthy.

A baby Philippine flying lemur with its mother.

The Philippine flat-headed frog lives in clear, fast-flowing streams.

The binturong, or bearcat, is found in Palawan.

The Philippine hawk-eagle is found only in the Philippines.

Whale sharks are the biggest fish in the ocean.

The Philippine deer is also known as the Philippine brown deer.

Vulnerable animals are those that are likely to become endangered in the future if we don't do something to protect them.

• The Philippine eagle-owl (Bubo philippensis) is a large, majestic owl found only in the Philippines. It hunts at night.
• The Green humphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum) is a giant fish that helps keep coral reefs clean by eating algae.
• The Philippine flying lemur (Cynocephalus volans), also called kagwang, isn't actually a lemur or a bat. It glides between trees using a special membrane.
• The Whale shark (Rhincodon typus), known as butanding, is the biggest fish in the world! These gentle giants visit Philippine waters, especially in places like Donsol.
• The Philippine deer (Rusa marianna), or usa, is native to the Philippines. Sadly, its numbers are decreasing.

Here are more vulnerable animal species:

Endangered Animals

The Philippine spotted deer is one of the rarest deer in the world.

Green turtles are important for marine ecosystems.

A male and female Visayan hornbill.

The Palawan horned frog is found only on Palawan and Balabac.

Endangered animals are those facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild. Their numbers are very low.

• The Giant golden-crowned flying fox (Acerodon jubatus) is one of the largest bats in the world, found only in the Philippines. It's important for spreading seeds in forests.
• The Green turtle (Chelonia mydas), or pawikan, is a sea turtle found globally, but its populations are shrinking.
• The Philippine spotted deer (Rusa alfredi) is one of the rarest deer species. It's found on Panay and Negros islands.
• The Visayan hornbill (Penelopides panini), also called tarictik, has less than 1,800 individuals left. It's found only in the Visayas region.

Here are more endangered animal species:

Critically Endangered Animals

The rufous-headed hornbill is one of the rarest hornbills.

The red-vented cockatoo is also known as the Philippine cockatoo.

The Philippine crocodile is a freshwater crocodile.

Hawksbill sea turtles have beautiful shells.

The Philippine eagle is the national bird of the Philippines.

The Philippine forest turtle was recently rediscovered.

The blue-winged racquet-tail is a parrot found in the Sulu Archipelago.

Critically endangered animals are in extreme danger of becoming extinct very soon. They need urgent protection.

• The Rufous-headed hornbill (Aceros waldeni), or kalaw, is a very rare bird found mainly on Panay. It might already be extinct on Negros and Guimaras.
• The Tamaraw (Bubalus mindorensis) is a small buffalo found only on Mindoro Island. In 2008, there were only 263 individuals left, but conservation efforts are helping.
• The Red-vented cockatoo (Cacatua haematuropygia), or katala, has only about 180 individuals left in the wild, mostly in Palawan. They are being bred in captivity to help their numbers grow.
• The Philippine crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis) is a freshwater crocodile found only in the Philippines. In 1992, fewer than 100 adults were believed to exist.
• The Hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), another pawikan, is critically endangered worldwide. Its beautiful shell makes it a target for illegal trade.
• The Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi), or haribon, is the national bird of the Philippines and one of the largest and most powerful eagles in the world. Only about 180 to 500 birds are believed to survive, and they are being bred in captivity.
• The Philippine forest turtle (Siebenrockiella leytensis) was recently rediscovered! It's found only in Palawan.

Here are more critically endangered animal species:

Plants in Danger

Just like animals, many plant species in the Philippines are also threatened. They are important for our ecosystems and for other living things.

Vulnerable Plants

Vulnerable plants are those that are likely to become endangered if we don't protect them.

• The Almaciga (Agathis philippinensis) is a large tree found in the Philippines and other parts of Southeast Asia. Its resin is used for many things.
• The Ipot palm (Areca ipot) is a unique palm tree found only in southern Luzon.
• The Pahutan/paho mango (Mangifera altissima) is a type of mango tree native to Southeast Asia.

Here are more vulnerable plant species:

Endangered Plants

Aerides lawrenceae is a beautiful orchid.

Dipterocarpus alatus is a large forest tree.

Phalaenopsis lindenii is a type of orchid.

Paphiopedilum ciliolare is a slipper orchid.

Podocarpus costalis is a conifer.

Nepenthes bellii is a pitcher plant.

Endangered plants face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.

• Aerides lawrenceae is an orchid found in Mindanao and Leyte.
• The Chamberlain's cycad (Cycas riuminiana), or pitogo, is a very old type of plant found only in Luzon.
• Nepenthes bellii and Nepenthes truncata are fascinating pitcher plants, known for their unique "pitchers" that trap insects. They are found in Dinagat and Mindanao.
• Paphiopedilum ciliolare is a type of slipper orchid found in Luzon, Mindanao, Camiguin, and Dinagat Island.
• Phalaenopsis lindenii is another beautiful orchid found only in Luzon.

Here are more endangered plant species:

Critically Endangered Plants

Alocasia sanderiana is a popular ornamental plant.

Alocasia sinuata has unique wavy leaves.

Paphiopedilum urbanianum is a rare slipper orchid.

Paphiopedilum fowliei is found only in Palawan.

Critically endangered plants are in extreme danger of becoming extinct very soon.

• Alocasia sanderiana, also known as the kris plant, is a popular ornamental plant. It's found in Bukidnon, Catanduanes, and Misamis Occidental.
• Alocasia sinuata is another unique plant found only in Samar.
• The Curran's pitogo (Cycas curranii) and Wade's pitogo (Cycas wadei) are types of cycads found only in Palawan, Mindoro, and Culion Island.
• Many species of Dipterocarpus trees, like Dipterocarpus grandiflorus (Apitong), are critically endangered. These large trees are important for forests.
• Paphiopedilum fowliei and Paphiopedilum urbanianum are very rare slipper orchids found in Palawan and Mindoro.
• The Philippine teak (Tectona philippinensis) is a valuable tree found only in Luzon and Iling Island.
• Rafflesia magnifica is a giant, rare flower found in Mindanao. It's known for its huge size and strong smell.

Here are more critically endangered plant species:

See also

• National List of Threatened Terrestrial Fauna of the Philippines
• Katala Foundation
• Haribon Foundation
• List of endemic birds of the Philippines
• List of mammals of the Philippines
• Wild pigs of the Philippines

General:

• Wildlife of the Philippines
• Environmental issues in the Philippines