Endangered species turned over to DENR

A BRAHMINY kite eagle, locally known as Dapay, and a Visayan Tarictic Hornbill locally known as Tariktik were turned over to the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Guimbal last July 26, 2019.

The species were voluntarily turned over by Reyme C. Gallarda, Teacher I of Iloilo National High School in La Paz, Iloilo City.

Held in captivity inside the “Rainier’s Park” of the school, Gallarda said he took care of the species after the previous owner, Rainier Apistar, died 8 years ago.

Upon verification, it was found out that the school has no legal documents for possessing the species, hence the school principal voluntarily turned over the wildlife to CENRO Guimbal Wildlife Traffic Monitoring Team for safe keeping at the Wildlife Rescue Center.

In his message, DENR-6 Regional Executive Director Francisco E. Milla urged the public to turn over any wildlife species when it is accidentally capture.

“Anyone who accidentally capture any wildlife species, please turn over and report to DENR to have an immediate action,” he said.

The Brahminy Kite (Haliasturindus) is listed as the least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) but it noted that its population is declining, especially in Southeast Asia.

The Tarictic Hornbill (Penelopiespanini) is listed as endangered per DAO 2004-15 Establishing the List of Terrestrial Threatened Species and Other Categories and the List of Wildlife Species pursuant to Republic Act No. 9147, otherwise known as the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act of 2001.

Pursuant to Republic Act No. 9147, seized wildlife species under the category of endangered and critically-endangered species without corresponding authorization documents in the act of trade, transport and possession will be confiscated by the government. (DENR-6/CENRO-Guimbal)