The Turtle Conservancy is proud to support our longtime partner in the Philippines, the Katala Foundation Inc. (KFI), in their efforts to conserve the critically endangered Palawan Forest Turtle (Siebenrockiella leytensis), lead by Dr. Sabine Schoppe. Since 2018, KFI has successfully bred this rare species in captivity at the Katala Institute for Ecology and Biodiversity Conservation (KIEBC) in Narra, Palawan. The assurance colony is part of a joint initiative between KFI and the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff (PCSDS), formalized through a Memorandum of Agreement to protect freshwater turtles and pangolins in Palawan.

Over the past seven years, 61 Palawan Forest Turtles have hatched at KIEBC. Of these, 40 individuals have recently been released into protected areas to help bolster wild populations. These carefully planned releases are carried out in close coordination with PCSDS, local governments, and communities at each release site.

We are deeply grateful for the ongoing support of our conservation partners, including PCSDS, DENR-CENRO, MENRO, LGU Roxas, and the barangays of Dumarao, Mendoza, Sandoval, Tagumpay, New Cuyo, Abaroan, and San Jose. Special thanks also go to our funding partners—Mandai Nature, Chester Zoo, Turtle Conservation Fund, anonymous donors whose continued support makes this critical work possible.