The Calauit Island in Busuanga, Island of Palawan was first declared as a game preserve and wildlife sanctuary by the power of Presidential Proclamation No. 1578 issued on August 31, 1976.

This was in response of the Government of the Philippines to the international concern to save the diminishing numbers of African animal population in the country of Kenya, Continent of Africa. The Giraffees at Calauit island was chosen for its relative isolation, size, topography, and vegetation, which provides the necessary environmental variability.

Way back on March 04, 1977, one-hundred-and-four heads composed of eight species of African animals from Kenya arrived in Calauit Island in Palawan. It included eighteen impalas, fifteen giraffes, fifteen zebras, twelve bushbucks, twelve waterbucks, eleven gazelles, eleven elands, and ten topis as its numerical breakdown.

After five years, the animal population increased to 201 from its initial of 104 heads, of which fifty-eight are the original stocks and one-hundred-and-forty-three are island-born. It was then during the last eighteen months in the said period that a significant increase in population was achieved.

The waterbucks and impalas obtained the first two highest population increment. Substantial increase in population growth was also recorded for the other species, except for the topi and gazelle where high mortality during the early stages of adaptation reduced their population to less than the original number.

It was in 1999 when the remaining individuals of the topi and gazelle were seen. As of September 2004, the current population was estimated at 481 heads, in which the impalas had the highest number at 150 individuals.

At present, continuously being conducted are other previously initiated activities such as, conservation and monitoring of the island's marine resources, including the reforestation and maintenance of hills, rangelands, and mangroves to preserve not only the animals but also the mother nature.