Current view: Text account
Site description (2001 baseline):
Site location and context
Balabac (34,200 ha) is the largest of the group of islands to the south of Palawan. The natural vegetation there is lowland forest, but there are reports that little forest cover now remains on the island.
Many of the threatened and restricted-range species of the Palawan Endemic Bird Area have been recorded on Balabac in the past, including the threatened Grey Imperial-pigeon, Philippine Cockatoo, Blue-headed Racquet-tail and Palawan Hornbill. It is unclear whether there is enough natural habitat remaining on the island to support significant populations of any of these birds.
Non-bird biodiversity: This IBA is the only known locality for the greater mouse-deer Tragulus napu. Several mammals endemic to Palawan faunal region are known to occur in the area, including Palawan shrew Crocidura palawanensis, Palawan tree shrew Tupaia palawanensis and Palawan flying fox Acerodon leucotis. Threatened marine animals also occur off this IBA, including hawksbill turtle Eretmochelys imbricata and esturine crocodile Crocodylus porosus.
Most of the herpetofauna recorded on the island are confined to Palawan faunal region and the neighbouring Indo-Malayan region, including brown-striped tree frog Polypedates macrotis, rough-skinned tree frog Philautus longicrus and South-East Asian wood frog Rana sanguinea.
Balabac (34,200 ha) is the largest of the group of islands to the south of Palawan. The natural vegetation there is lowland forest, but there are reports that little forest cover now remains on the island.
Conservation responses/actions for key biodiversity
Surveys are required on Balabac, to investigate both the extent and quality of the remaining habitats there and the current status of the threatened and restricted-range birds and other biodiversity.
Proclaimed as a Marine Reserve / Tourist Zone in 1978 by Proc. No. 1801, but not officially protected under the NIPAS.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Balabac Island (Philippines). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/balabac-island-iba-philippines on 22/11/2024.
