Palawan is a highly biodiverse island of the Philippines, which themselves constitute a global biodiversity hotspot. Having been connected to mainland Asia in prehistoric times, Palawan has a high diversity of larger wildlife, including three ungulate (hoofed animal) species, seven carnivore species and a number of endemic species (found only in Palawan). These include several EDGE species, notably the Palawan pangolin (CR), Philippine cockatoo (CR) and Palawan forest turtle (CR), the Palawan hornbill (VU), Palawan Peacock-pheasant (VU) and the Palawan flycatcher (VU), as well as further endemics such as the Calamian deer (EN), Balabac mouse deer (EN), Palawan porcupine (VU) and Palawan bearded pig (NT).

These species are under threat from habitat loss, overhunting and poaching. Palawan-based Katala Foundation established by Dr. Peter Widmann has a 30-year track record in protecting threatened Palawan species. One of the challenges to its work has been the very time-consuming monitoring of known populations of endangered species. Moreover, knowing which areas still harbour residual populations of critically endangered species is a key challenge and fundamental for protecting critical habitats.

Realising the opportunity, 1wild Foundation got in touch with both Katala Foundation and (through ETH Foundation's Tim Jaenecke) WildinSync, a global eDNA monitoring programme established by ETH Zurich under the lead of Prof. Loïc Pellissier. This initiative aims at documenting the change in biodiversity world-wide through systematic monitoring of eDNA (environmental DNA) at a large number of selected sites. The goal is to expand the network of monitoring sites to 100 countries by 2023. The data analysis will involve artificial intelligence and will be accessible through a platform open to participant institutions.

1wild Foundation agreed a donation to ETH Foundation covering a 2-year pilot programme using eDNA for biodiversity monitoring at a critical habitat in Palawan.