The last remaining tamaraw in captivity has died

RIP Kali

The only remaining captivity-born and bred tamaraw has passed away.

Named ‘Kalibasib‘, for Kalikasan Bagong Sibol, the 21-year tamaraw was lovingly called ‘Kali‘ by its caretakers at the Mindoro Biodiversity Conservation in Occidental Mindoro.

‘[Before it died], Kalibasib had slight diarrhea. It was already sent to the San Jose Municipal Veterinary Office in Occidental Mindoro for necropsy,‘ said DENR-Biodiversity Management Bureau’s (BMB) Ricardo Calderon.

He furthered that ‘old age is also suspected as the cause of its death because it was born in 1999.’ The regular lifespan of tamaraws only goes as far as 20 to 25 years.

It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Kalibasib also known as “Kali” the only remaining…

Posted by Catanduanes Biodiversity: List of Native and Non Native Species on Sunday, October 11, 2020

 

20 tamaraws were originally housed by the Mindoro Biodiversity Conservation where Kali was born. However, all 20 tamaraws, including its mother ‘Mimi‘ have died. Serving as a beacon of hope, Kali has since been the area’s only tenant during its 21 years of life.

DND-BMB furthered that there are only around 480 tamaraw in the wild, as they’ve been dubbed a critically endangered species due to poaching and illness.

Ironically enough, Kali died during National Tamaraw Month this October.

Run free, Kali

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Source: we the pvblic