The animals were surrendered to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) on Sept. 10 for examination, care and eventual release.
For the DENR, the voluntary turnover reflects growing community awareness that protecting wildlife sometimes begins simply by knowing when to let wild animals go.
Road to freedom
Among the rescued animals were two Philippine palm civets. Resident Joel Gastones found one at a rubber farm, while another was surrendered after being cared for by Isagani Bagyo.
The other animals were two Philippine ducks, four white-eared brown doves locally known as alimokon, three spotted doves known as tukmo, and a juvenile white-breasted waterhen.
DENR personnel worked with CENRO Matalam and Makilala's municipal environment office to retrieve and transport the animals.
They were brought to the Kidapawan City Veterinary Office, where veterinarians examined them and certified all 12 as fit for release.
Back to the wild
Eight did not have to wait long.
The four white-eared brown doves, three spotted doves and juvenile white-breasted waterhen were immediately released into their natural habitat.
The two Philippine ducks and two palm civets were brought to PENRO Cotabato's temporary wildlife rescue center for observation before they, too, are returned to the wild.
The DENR said the turnover also demonstrated compliance with Republic Act No. 9147, or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, which regulates the collection, possession, transport and keeping of wildlife.
The agency reminded the public not to keep rescued or encountered wildlife without legal authorization. Instead, animals should be reported and turned over to the nearest DENR office or authorized wildlife authorities for proper handling. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
