An Eastern grass owl (Tyto longimembris) was turned over to Community Environment and Natural Resources (CENRO) Guimbal by Miag-ao Municipal ENR Officer Isidro Mosura and staff.

The owl was seen in a rice field of Brgy. Potrigo, Miagao, Iloilo last February 7, 2021. Upon assessment, it was found out that the bird has injured wings. Authorities believed an airgun pellet caused the injury.

The grass owl was kept safe and is still under observation at CENRO Guimbal’s temporary rescue center in Brgy. Kirayan Tacas, Miagao, Iloilo. After healing the owl will be released to the wild – in  Maasin Watershed Forest Reserve.

Bird expert Godfrey Jakosalem of the PhilBio was tapped by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 6 for bird identification.

The Eastern grass owl (Tyto longimembris) is rarely seen but is adapted to life on the ground. They normally hide in long grasses and are more silent than the Barn owl. Fluffy owlets of the Eastern grass owl often gets exposed during the harvest season in agricultural areas.

“This bird is just an example that shooting or killings of our faunas are still active in the community. Let us not forget their importance, they too balances our ecosystem,” DENR 6 Regional Executive Director Francisco E. Milla, Jr.

Conservation of all bird species is part of the “Enhancing biodiversity conservation,” one of the top ten priority programs of Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu./DENR 6