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????????? ????, ????? ????????- The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) South Cotabato of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 12 through Biologists, Aljohn Jay Saavedra and Kier Mitchel Pitogo, (former staff of PENRO-South Cotabato), led the comprehensive study and publication of the bird fauna in Mt Melibengoy, Municipality of Tboli, South Cotabato.

       The research study was published in the Philippine Journal of Systematic Biology of the Association of Systematic Biologists of the Philippines (ASBP), entitled “Avian fauna of Mount Melibengoy, Southern Mindanao, Philippines: Conservation implications on a partially protected key biodiversity area under threat". The study revealed that 130 bird species were accounted in Mt. Melibengoy as a result of field surveys and collation of related data, where these numbers may possibly increase as more research studies and biodiversity surveys will be conducted.

        In addition, the research data also shows other remarkable findings such as the rarely observed Mindanao lorikeet, the endangered South Philippine hawk-eagle, the range-restricted Tboli sunbird, and other notable species in the area.

        This brings the total bird species to count in the Mt Busa Key Biodiversity Area (KBA 196), which encompasses Mt Melibengoy, to approximately 165, including the iconic Philippine Eagle (???? ??????????? ?? ??? ???? ???????? ?????, ????????? ????????, ???????????) (??????????, ?? ??., 2020).

        The study emphasizes Mt. Melibengoy's significance as a potential last refuge for Mindanao lorikeet populations in the country, a species facing extirpation from most mountains in Mindanao.

        Furthermore, the paper advocates for the declaration of the remaining unprotected forests in Melibengoy and Malibato mountains as a Wildlife Critical Habitat and, eventually, a Protected Area. The said publication aligns with the ongoing efforts of DENR-PENRO South Cotabato to incorporate the unprotected portions of KBA 196 into the Philippine National Integrated Protected Areas System, under Republic Act No. 11038. This collaborative effort underscores the commitment to biodiversity conservation and aligns with broader national conservation initiatives.### (photos from Forest Jarvis/reports by AJ Saavedra Biologist PAMO-AVPL -PENRO South Cotabato | ??????