The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) which is mandated to protect, conserve and manage all terrestrial plants and animal species, all turtles and tortoises and wetland species, including crocodiles, waterbirds and all amphibians and seacow or dugong, calls for the public to turn-over rescued animals to the authorities especially to the wildlife authorities, and not keep them as house pet.

The management of DENR Region 6 is grateful for the series of turned-over species in the region. Regional Executive Director Livino B. Duran also emphasizes the importance of these species in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem to both floras (plants) and faunas (animals).

On February 07, 2023 a rescued Brahminy kite (Haliastur indus) locally known as Dapay was turned-over to the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Barotac Nuevo by the Municipal (ENR) Office of Dingle from Barangay Bonloy Dingle, Iloilo.

Ten days after, on February 17, 2023, one Reticulated python (Malayopython reticulatus) was turned over by the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Guimbal, Iloilo to CENRO Guimbal, after it was found at a dike in Brgy. Poblacion and was caught by one of the residents. The python is temporarily in custody at the Wildlife Rescue Center at Kirayan Tacas, Miagao, Iloilo.

Meanwhile, two (2) juvenile Visayan leopard cats (Prionailurus bengalensis rabori) was turned-over by Mabini Farm School teacher, Ms. Masa Lavada to CENRO Cadiz City in Negros Occidental on February 14, 2023.

“The turned-over species are a living proof that there is a good number of concerned citizen who are aware of the importance of these species to our ecosystems. They won’t harm when you don’t hurt them, they play an important role to help our ecosystems in balance,” said RED Duran.