Talarak Foundation

The Conservation Breeding Center Talarak was established in 2009 by the initiative of Fernando L. Gutierrez, a great lover of nature and conservationist. Together with five other businessmen from Bacolod, Kabankalan and Talisay they established the Talarak Foundation Inc. and pledged to sponsor the center for first five years. "Dino" Gutierez also became the first president of the Talarak Foundation Inc. The project of the center was worked out in the manner that after a certain time it should be financially self-sufficient. The center is located on an area of 2 ha near the Kabankalan City on the Negros island, which is in the terms of protection of nature one of the most interesting islands of the Philippines. Facilities at the center are very simple and in the first place functional. There are simple breeding aviaries, the fledging and rehabilitation releasing aviary, paddocks, area for feed preparation, quarantine and a simple infirmary. At the end of the year 2011, a house for volunteers was built. also took management of the Negros Forest Park biodiversity conservation center in Bacolod City, formerly of the Negros Forest and Ecological Foundation Inc. Talarak absorbed the Negros Forest Park center into the foundation to continue its mission of conserving and proliferating the endangered and endemic species on the West Visayas, with a view on restoring these plant and animal species back in the wild, and educating the people of Negros about their biodiversity. Within the two centers more than 35 species of animals and multiple species of native trees are maintained, with the majority endemic to the West Visayas Faunal Region. The centers are run dedicated and experienced animal keepers, a wildlife veterinarian, education staff and volunteers to help with the operation of our various activities. Animals which get into the center are usually seized on the black market or donated by people who illegally obtained them. Recently, with the spreading of the awareness about conservation of nature, the center has received some individuals also as a present. Some of the rescued birds are absolutely unique and are very poorly known among breeders and ornithologists. Experience with the breeding of these species is therefore in many ways a unique way of helping to reveal other "secrets" of biology and ethology of the species in the wild. Residence of the company: 12th Lacson Street, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental