Rehabilitated wildlife returns to Semirara forest

Rehabilitated wildlife was returned to its natural habitat at the Bantayan Release Site in Barangay Semirara, Caluya, Antique, highlighting a key part of environmental stewardship and species conservation.

The release site recently served as a setting for new beginnings as several animals were successfully released back into the wild after rehabilitation.

Semirara Mining and Power Corp.’s Environmental, Social and Governance Sustainability Department, in partnership with the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office of Antique and the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office of Culasi, carried out the activity under the theme “Protecting the Wild, Preserving our Future.”

The interagency partnership underscored the importance of balancing development with biodiversity protection in ecologically sensitive areas such as Semirara Island.

The wildlife released included two adult male white-collared kingfishers (Todiramphus chloris collaris), four adult male spotted doves (Streptopelia chinensis), four adult male common emerald doves (Chalcophaps indica) and four adult male barred rails (Gallirallus torquatus).

Technical personnel and specialists from PENRO Antique and CENRO Culasi provided on-site guidance to ensure that release protocols were properly followed.

The team also assessed the animals’ condition before release to confirm they were healthy enough to survive on their own in the wild.

Semirara Barangay Captain Catherine Lim, who also serves as president of the Liga ng mga Barangay in the Municipality of Caluya, expressed full support for the release operation.

The Bantayan Release Site serves as a sanctuary where human activity is kept to a minimum so wildlife can move, feed and recover in a safer environment.

Returning rescued animals to their natural habitat helps maintain ecological balance and supports biodiversity in local forests and coastal ecosystems.

Bird species such as kingfishers, doves and rails contribute to environmental health through functions such as seed dispersal and sustaining natural food chains.

The activity also reflects broader conservation efforts in Antique to protect wildlife and promote a sustainable and environmentally secure future for communities in Caluya.