7 wildlife species released in Pantabangan watershed

MANILA, Philippines - Seven wildlife species have returned successfully to their natural habitat after the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Nueva Ecija released them into the  Pantabangan watershed.?               

Alfredo Collado, head of the DENR office in Nueva Ecija, said four species of serpent eagle (Spilornis holospilus), two species of reticulated python (Python reticulatus) and a species of pond turtle have been released into their original home after almost five years of captivity in the department’s regional wildlife rescue center in Palayan City.?               

“The rescue center has been their temporary shelter. The wildlife had undergone care and rehabilitation after being rescued by our wildlife officers under various circumstances. And now they are released back in their natural home,” Collado said.?               

He said it is important that such species are released back to the wild after captivity for them to regain their natural instinct and learn to live and hunt independently.?               

“The wildlife species were declared fit for release after the provincial veterinarian said that they are healthy and free from any disease,” Collado said, adding that the biggest threat to the survival of wildlife is the exploitation by local communities.?               

He appealed to the public to report to the nearest DENR office any suspicious wildlife trading activity, including illegal hunting.?               

“Let us be vigilant in the protection of our animals. They play a crucial role in human survival and are an important part of the ecosystem,” Collado said.?               

Earlier, the DENR also released 12 bramminy kites (Haliastur indus), five monitor lizards (Varanus salvator) and 30 box turtles (Terrapene carolina) into the 62,300-hectare Angat Watershed Forest Reserve in Bulacan.