Pugal of Mt. Pulag: The Feline That Stole Our Hearts—Then Let Go for the Sake of Nature

If you’ve ever hiked Mt. Pulag, the highest peak in Luzon, you’ve probably heard the name Pugal. And if you were lucky, maybe you even met him — that little tabby cat with the big, curious eyes and the heart of a true mountaineer.

Pugal wasn’t your average feline. He wasn’t born in the wild, nor was he just a pet that got lost and ended up on a mountain. He was a story in himself — a companion, a symbol, and eventually, a gentle controversy. But more than anything, Pugal was a reminder of how deeply humans can fall in love with nature… and how complicated that love can become.

A Cat Among the Clouds

Pugal’s story begins like many great legends do — quietly. No one knows exactly how he got to Mt. Pulag, though most say he was brought there by a local guide or hiker. Some say he was abandoned, others say he wandered in on his own, but however it happened, Pugal made the mountains his home. And somehow, the mountains made room for him too.

At first, he was just a curious creature roaming the campsite, sniffing at backpacks and cozying up to sleepy trekkers wrapped in their thermal jackets. But it didn’t take long before hikers began taking notice. Photos of him would pop up on Instagram stories captioned with “Met a cat on top of the clouds!” or “Meet Pugal, the guardian of Pulag.”

Soon, Pugal became a fixture of the Mt. Pulag experience — a kind of furry welcome committee for those brave enough to climb to Luzon’s rooftop.

A Social Media Star is Born

You could say Pugal was born for the spotlight. Every picture of him — perched on a trail sign, curled up in a hiker’s arms, gazing into the sea of clouds during sunrise — captured hearts online. He had his own hashtag. Some hikers would even climb Pulag hoping to catch a glimpse of him, camera-ready with treats and pats.

He was more than just cute. Pugal had personality. He was known to join hikers as they trekked up the Ambangeg trail, pacing ahead like a tour guide with a tail. Sometimes he’d nap with campers, sharing body heat in the chilly dawn. Other times, he’d vanish into the fog, only to return as if on cue for group photos at the summit.

For many, he symbolized the magic of Mt. Pulag — a place where even a cat could find peace, adventure, and community.

The Turning Point

But as Pugal’s fame grew, so did the questions.

Environmentalists and park rangers began to raise concerns. Mt. Pulag, after all, is a protected national park and a vital part of the Cordillera ecosystem. It’s home to endemic species like the Luzon pygmy fruit bat, the Philippine deer, and dozens of rare flora that don’t exist anywhere else in the world. The mountain’s unique mossy forest and grassland ecosystem evolved over centuries — delicately balanced, fiercely protected, and incredibly vulnerable.

Domesticated animals, including beloved ones like Pugal, can unintentionally disrupt that balance. Cats are natural predators, and even the gentlest house cat can hunt birds, rodents, and reptiles that are native — and in some cases, endangered — to Mt. Pulag. They can also carry diseases that wild animals have no immunity to. And they can alter animal behavior just by being there, triggering stress and forcing native species out of their habitats.

Pugal, sweet and innocent as he was, became an unexpected threat.

Saying Goodbye to the Mountain

Eventually, the decision had to be made.

With heavy hearts, the park rangers and concerned locals agreed that Pugal could no longer stay on the mountain. He was retrieved and brought down from Mt. Pulag, where he now lives safely with caretakers in the lowlands. It was not an exile born of anger, but of love — love for the mountain, for its fragile ecosystem, and even for Pugal himself.

It was a bittersweet goodbye. Many hikers mourned the loss of Mt. Pulag’s most famous resident. Some even criticized the decision, arguing that he brought joy and awareness to the mountain’s beauty. And yes, it’s true — Pugal made people care. He made people fall in love with the outdoors. But real love, especially for nature, sometimes means letting go.

Why the Ecosystem Matters

Mt. Pulag isn’t just a hiking destination. It’s a living, breathing sanctuary that has existed long before humans came along to take selfies at its peak. Its ecosystem is home to species that are found nowhere else on Earth. It’s a sacred place to indigenous communities, and a crucial watershed for surrounding provinces.

When we bring in domesticated animals — even ones as lovely as Pugal — we unknowingly alter the natural order. We put at risk what has taken thousands of years to evolve. We may not see the damage right away, but it accumulates. One missing bird, one stressed-out bat, one disturbed plant root — it all matters.

The removal of Pugal wasn’t about rejecting him; it was about protecting everything else that makes Mt. Pulag special.

The Legacy of Pugal

Pugal may no longer walk the trails of Pulag, but his story lives on. He reminded us that even the smallest presence can make a big impact. He brought awareness to a place that deserves every bit of our attention and protection. And in the end, he helped us learn something important — that love for nature must be more than admiration. It must be action. It must be respect.

So the next time you climb Mt. Pulag and feel the chill of the wind on your cheeks, or watch the clouds part to reveal the sun rising above the Cordillera, maybe you’ll think of a little cat who once called this place home. And maybe you’ll leave with a deeper sense of how much this mountain — like all wild places — needs to be cherished, not just enjoyed.

Pugal, the cat of the clouds, taught us that.

And for that, we’ll always remember him.

Disclaimer: The photos featured in this post are not mine. All credit goes to the rightful owners. If you are the owner and would like proper attribution or removal, feel free to contact me.

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