Wild animals saved from illegal traders

Officials of the City and Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office along with representatives from the local government units confiscated almost P20,000 worth of endangered species from illegal traders in the streets of Magallanes and V. Gullas yesterday afternoon.

CENRO Officer Loreto Rivac said that they have had these traders on surveillance for several months now.

Rivac said they confiscated 11 iguanas estimated at P1,000 each along with a wildcat worth P3,000, two Philippine pythons worth P1,000, a colito worth P500, two parakeets worth P1,000 and a preserved lizard estimated at P1,000.

Rivac said that these species may have come from places outside Cebu like Mindoro and from outside the country as well, as iguanas are exotic animals. The traders of the confiscated species fled upon seeing them.

"We will constantly be monitoring the culprit so that this will be stopped. We will be filing charges against them if they will be caught. Bigger penalties are at stake for them as stated in RA 9147 or the Wildlife Protection Act," Rivac added.

Imprisonment of as much as 12 years and a fine of P1 million are imposed on those who try to sell species listed as critical.

Rivac said the confiscated species will be brought to the nature center of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. But if these animals will not adapt there, they will be donated to the zoo or will be freed in Cebu's forests. - Jasmin R. Uy