Rare sighting of tingkolit

A very secretive Mindanao Tree Shrew was seen in Mt. Apo Natural Park (MANP) in Cotabato during a biodiversity monitoring activity conducted from 14 to 17 October 2025. 

The rare sighting of the adult male squirrel-like mammal, which is found mainly in Southeast Asia, marks a significant conservation milestone. 

The tingkolit, as it is locally known, was captured using a box trap set up to study small mammals in the area. 

After recording its vital measurements, the monitoring team released it back into the wild.

This recent documentation follows the species’ 2022 rediscovery in the Dinagat Islands, nearly 70 years after the last known published study. 

The latest finding not only confirms the continued existence of the Mindanao Tree Shrew in the region but also expands its known range within Mindanao. 

The tingkolit’s presence in MANP highlights the species’ broader, though previously undocumented, distribution across the island — underscoring the challenges of studying such an elusive animal.

Endemic to Mindanao, the Mindanao Tree Shrew is a diurnal, omnivorous mammal that feeds on insects, fruits and small invertebrates. Despite being classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, it remains one of the least-documented species in the region due to its secretive nature. 

For conservationists, this latest record reinforces Mt. Apo’s ecological importance and the value of continuous biodiversity monitoring and community engagement in protecting the park’s rich natural heritage.