CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – The presence of Biak-na-Bato limestone frogs (Platymantis biak) was recently recorded by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Central Luzon at the Biak-na-Bato National Park (BNBNP) in San Miguel, Bulacan.
Listed as “vulnerable” under DENR Administrative Order No. 2019-09 and classified as “near-threatened” under the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species, the species was documented during a Biodiversity Monitoring System-Field Diary activity conducted with personnel of the Protected Area Management Office and interns from Bulacan State University to assess wildlife populations and habitat conditions within the protected area.
“The limestone frogs were observed in Suklib Kabayo Cave, perched above depressions in a cave pillar approximately 69.17 meters from the its main entrance,” said Dennis Vergara, head of DENR community office in Baliwag.
DENR-Central Luzon executive director Ralph Pablo noted that the recorded presence of the species highlights the ecological value of BNBNP, particularly its cave and limestone ecosystems that serve as habitat for endemic wildlife.
“The presence of the Biak-na-Bato Limestone Frog inside the protected area reflects the ecological importance of our caves and forest ecosystems. This serves as a reminder that our conservation efforts must remain steadfast to ensure the survival of vulnerable and endemic wildlife species,” Pablo said.
𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘺𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘪𝘢𝘬 is a terrestrial limestone frog endemic to Luzon. It is commonly found in secondary growth lowland forests, on limestone rocks near cave entrances and exits, and deep within cave systems. Punto News Team/DENR-3
