DENR closely monitors wildlife trade
MANILA,
July 30 (PNA) - Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje on Tuesday called for a stop to the illegal
wildlife trade in the country.
Alarmed over the buying and selling of wild animals in the
domestic market, he directed his regional officials to coordinate
closely with the various law enforcement agencies to map out strategies
to combat illegal collection and transport of wildlife species.
Paje’s directive came in the wake of a police apprehension
of a van transporting some P1 million worth of endangered birds and
mammals at a checkpoint in San Luis, Batangas on Sunday morning, July
25.
“This incident shows that illegal wildlife trade is very
much alive in the country,” Paje said. “We have to curb this
malpractice.”
“We should protect and take pride in our biodiversity, and
exert all efforts to prevent the disappearance of any species,
especially those that are endemic to the country and can only be found
here,” the DENR chief said.
The confiscated wildlife species, believed to have come from
Palawan, were turned over last Sunday afternoon to the DENR’s Wildlife
Rescue Center at the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Nature Center in
Quezon City for rehabilitation and safekeeping.
WRC resident veterinarian Dr. Riza Salinas said among the
182 confiscated wildlife species include 129 Palawan hill mynahs or
kiyaw, 47 blue-naped parrots or pikoy, three leopard cats or maral, one
young Palawan bearcat or binturong, and two Palawan hornbills or talusi.
Unfortunately, said Salinas, six mynahs, two parrots and one
hornbill died while in transit apparently due to stress and
mishandling. 12 more mynahs died while the remaining hornbill was very
sick, according to her.
Paje disclosed that Palawan is usually the source of
wildlife sold in Metro Manila and even abroad.
“Palawan is so rich in endemic species, it has proven to be a
favorite target of those who think of nothing but owning an endangered
species as pet,” he said.
He also ordered the DENR’s Protected Areas and Wildlife
Bureau (PAWB) and the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD)
to strengthen their coordination and cooperation to avert further
illegal collection, transport and trade of wildlife from the province.
Paje lauded the DENR regional office headed by Regional
Executive Director Nilo Tamoria and the Philippine National Police (PNP)
of San Luis for their vigilance in apprehending the van, and assisting
in the turnover of the animals from Batangas to the Wildlife Rescue
Center (WRC) at the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Nature Center in
Quezon City for monitoring and treatment.
Meanwhile, the DENR secretary directed Protected Areas and
Wildlife Bureau Director Theresa Mundita Lim to exercise utmost care of
the animals, most of which are still juvenile, to arrest their
decimation.
“We will try to stabilize their conditions first, then see
if they are fit enough to be released to their natural habitat in
Palawan,” Lim said.
Illegal possession, trade and transport of endangered
species are punishable acts under Republic Act 9147, or the Wildlife
Resources Conservation and Protection Act. As such, the vehicle’s driver
and passengers, who are now under the custody of the PNP Provincial
Headquarters in Batangas, are now facing charges for violating the law.
(PNA)
LAP/JCA
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