One of the world’s rarest species, Tamaraw, which closely resembles the local carabao, can only be found in the island of Mindoro. However, due to human encroachment, the endemic species has been already “critically endangered”—just one step away from being extinct in the wild.

In this regard, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) recently gathered stakeholders across the country committed to protect and conserve the Tamaraw at the Seasons Hotel and Convention Center, San Jose, Occidental Mindoro.

The activity formed part of the 2018 MIMAROPA regional science and technology week celebration.

“The roundtable discussion aims to strengthen collaborative efforts and identify potential research areas specifically in Tamaraw counting as well as in scaling up their remaining population,” DOST-MIMAROPA regional director Ma. Josefina Abilay said in her opening speech during the RSTW celebration.