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.

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Published: 22 February 2023

The Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Barotac Nuevo together with the 63^rdSpecial Action Company, 6^th Special Action Battalion, PNP-SAF and Organization for Internal Safety and Response Against Crime (OISRAC) conducted a tree planting activity within the four (4) hectares portion of (thirty) 30 hectares timber commodity of Enhanced National Greening Program (E-NGP) located at Brgy. Gemumua Agahon, Passi City on February 3, 2023.

A total of two hundred (200) assorted cloned seedlings were planted by the participants including the members of Gemumua Agahon Integrated Social Forestry Farmers (GAISFOBA).

Meanwhile, on February 10, 2023 the team of CENRO Barotac Nuevo together with the personnel from Tactical Operations Group 6 of the Philippine Air Force, fisherfolks, and barangay officials of Brgy. Talisay had planted a total of three hundred (300) bakauan propagules within the 37.7 hectares mangrove area and collected twenty-five (25) kilograms of garbage during their coastal clean-up located at Sitio Lamintao, Brgy. Talisay, Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo.

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Published: 20 February 2023

An Olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) sea turtle trapped in a fishnet was rescued by two brothers who are fishermen at around eight o’clock in the morning on February 6, 2023.

Brothers Joemar Avanceña and Ronel Avanceña found the Olive ridley while they were fishing at the mouth of Ilog–Hilabangan River, located at So. Mapaet, Brgy. Suay, Himamaylan City. Seeing the need to report it to the proper authorities, the brothers contacted the city ENRO. Then, responding to the call, Himamaylan City ENR Officer Armela Waldato informed Supervising Ecosystem Management Specialist (SVEMS) Lucia Salazar of DENR CENRO Kabankalan City of the incidence.

Kabankalan City ENRO dispatched Ascencion Santocildes, chief of the Conservation and Development Section, to the site. Santocildes and his team assessed the Olive ridley and measured its carapace to be 63 centimeters long and 65 centimeters wide. It has an estimated weight of 30 kilograms. The turtle was also tagged with # PH1296K.

Since the turtle is in good shape, it was immediately released back to the sea water by the DENR team after the tagging.

The Olive ridley is a small sea turtle and has powerful jaws for an omnivore diet of crustaceans such as crabs and shrimps. No wonder they are generally found in coastal bays and estuaries, but also dwell in the oceans in some parts of its habitat. They would usually dive to a depth of 500 feet and feed on bottom dwelling crustaceans.

Its name is derived from its olive-colored carapace. It is listed as Vulnerable (VU) in the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

“We are thankful for the ready help that are usually given by our fishermen and local folks especially in the coastal areas where marine turtles are rescued. Such actions contribute not only to the conservation of these marine turtles, but also to the preservation of our rich marine biodiversity as well,” said Livino B. Duran, DENR 6 regional executive director.

“Protecting the environment is not the sole job of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). We need all the help that our communities can give to protect and conserve our natural resources,” he added.

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Published: 10 February 2023

The Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of Boracay Island led by Forester Joannette S. Opeda, together with the management of the Boracay Newcoast, facilitated the rescue of a stranded adult male Spinner Dolphin (Stenella longirostis).

 The said assistance was carried out at Boracay Newcoast, Brgy. Yapak, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan in the late afternoon of January 23, 2023.

The subadult dolphin measures about 1.7 meters in length with an estimated weight around 40 kilograms. It has sustained minor scratches during a physical assessment by the CENRO Boracay personnel.  

“Around 5pm we received information from the Boracay Newcoast management about the struggling dolphin wandering around the keyhole beach side as seen by their lifeguard. But because of the strong current in the keyhole, we decided to transport the dolphin to a calmer sea area, around 3 kms away from western seaboard of Boracay island,” CENRO Opeda recounted.

CENRO Boracay also acknowledged the help of Russel Palmer, President of Boracay Water Sports Association and the Fairways and Blue Water, for his immediate response and provision of the transportation for the dolphin rescue.

“After the release of turtle hatchlings in Boracay Island, the rescue and release of a Spinner dolphin took place. The DENR lauded the effort and coordination of our stakeholders in the island of Boracay for an active participation in terms of biodiversity protection and conservation,” said DENR 6 Regional Executive Director Livino B. Duran.

“The DENR 6 encourages the public to report such events and happenings to the authorities for proper assessment and handling of our precious wildlife,” RED Duran added.

Spinner dolphins are most frequently encountered aquatic mammal in near shore waters of the Pacific Island Region. They are known as the most acrobatic among dolphins and are known for their habit of leaping out of water, then spin up to seven times before falling back into the water.

As a protocol in rescuing marine mammal and to prevent further stressing out the dolphin, a blanket/towel heavily sprinkled with water was used to cover over its body.

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Published: 06 February 2023

In the afternoon of January 12, 2023, eighty-three (83) healthy Olive Ridley marine turtle hatchlings emerged from its nest at the beachfront of New Coast Boracay Properties in Brgy. Yapak, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan. Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Boracay Personnel together with the Forest Protection Officers assisted and documented the immediate released before the sun sets.

The recording of turtle species laying eggs in the island of Boracay is a visible proof of the richness of the marine ecosystem and water resources around the island. DENR 6 Regional Executive Director Livino B. Duran reminds the public to be more cautious in dealing marine animals and other living creatures.

“After the recent arrest of poachers found violating the Republic Act (RA) 9147 or the Wildlife Conservation Act and RA 10654 Section 102 or the Hunting/Taking of Wildlife in Sulu last January 22, 2023, the DENR 6 are intensifying the need to more educate the public and guard this beautiful marine creature and other creature found in land, air and water,” RED Duran said.

The Olive ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) is considered a vulnerable (VU) species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List./

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Published: 25 January 2023