Area closed off to protect rare white monkey in Sultan Kudarat

The municipal government of Senator Ninoy Aquino, Sultan Kudarat has closed off temporarily the area where a white monkey has been spotted frequently to minimize disturbance and prevent threats.

According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-SOCCSKSARGEN (DENR-12), the area was closed off upon the instruction of the town mayor.

DENR-12 added that barangay officials are also set to pass an ordinance to institutionalize protective measures for the white monkey, its habitat, and the surrounding forest ecosystem.

While the ordinance is pending, unauthorized access to the area where the macaque was sighted remains restricted.

DENR-12 said the white monkey, believed to be a Philippine long-tailed macaque with a rare pigmentation anomaly, has been regularly spotted in the area since 2016.

Initially believed to have albinism, the macaque was later assessed by the DENR XII Composite Monitoring Team, which found that it has brown to dark brown eyes, indicating it may have leucism or another pigmentation condition rather than albinism.

“The Department emphasized that scientific verification by wildlife experts is still necessary before a definitive conclusion can be made,” DENR-12 said.

DENR-12 warned that the growing public attention could put the monkey at risk of disturbance, illegal hunting, poaching, collection, and wildlife trafficking.

To protect the monkey and its habitat, the agency immediately coordinated with the municipal government, concerned stakeholders, and content creators to implement protective measures.

“During the validation, team confirmed that the macaque's habitat remains suitable, with secondary forest vegetation and natural food sources supporting the resident population,” DENR-12 said.

The local government is also set to carry out tree-planting and habitat restoration activities to strengthen biodiversity conservation and promote responsible ecotourism.

Authorities reminded the public that all wildlife is protected under the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act (RA 9147). Under the law, hunting, capturing, collecting, possessing, transporting, trading, or distributing wildlife without the necessary permits is prohibited.

Meanwhile, DENR-12 urged vloggers, photographers, media practitioners, social media users, and local community not to disclosed the exact location of wildlife sightings or post geotagged content that may place protected species at risk.

“The Department called on LGUs, Indigenous Peoples, local communities, environmental advocates, and the public to remain vigilant and support ongoing wildlife conservation efforts,” DENR-12 said. —GMA Regional TV News