DENR-7 on full alert for animals from Africa

CEBU, Philippines - Wildlife monitoring units of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Region 7 are on full alert following the declaration of the World Health Organization of the deadly Ebola virus as an international concern.

“This is a preventive measure as we are trying to stop the entry of imported wild animals and exotic pets particularly those coming from Ebola-hit countries of Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia,” said DENR 7 Executive Director Isabelo R.. Montejo.

Montejo issued a memorandum on this regard following a directive from DENR Secretary Ramon Paje for four provincial environment and natural resources officers and eight community environment and natural resources officers to monitor the possible illegal entry and smuggling of wild animals from Africa.

The Ebola virus is a zoonotic disease transmitted to humans by direct contact with infected live or dead animals, and more specifically with their body fluid.

In Africa, infection has been documented through the handling of infected chimpanzees, gorillas, fruit bats, monkeys, forest antelope and porcupines found ill or dead or in the rainforest.

“DENR has actually stopped issuing permits for wild animals imported from Africa as early as 2006 so the any entry of wildlife from this continent is outright illegal,” Montejo said.

He urged the public to be cautious in acquiring wild animals as pets. “They should ensure that the wild animals they are going to buy have wildlife farm permits issued by DENR,” he said.

 Meanwhile, around 186 pet spiders wrapped in plastic and placed in a wooden box with glass shield were turned over to DENR following an operation initiated by the Cebu City Police Office at Mambaling Elementary School yesterday.

“Spiders are always mistaken as insects but the truth is that spiders belong to the class of the Arachnids such as scorpions and they usually hunt for insects as its food,” Montejo said.

 PO3 Lester Dajao said the operation was conducted in partnership with DENR’s Protected Area and Wildlife Division  and marked the start of a strengthened campaign to protect the wildlife in Cebu.

“Unfortunately, we are not able to catch the owner of these spiders but we will conduct further investigation and follow up operation to stop the trading in some schools,” Dajao said.

 Dajao said a series of operations in private and public schools, parks and markets are in place to minimize – if not totally eliminate – the abuse of wildlife, including the spiders and birds, among others.

 “Spiders play an important role in our terrestrial ecosystem as they are responsible for the control of the insect and pest population such as house dust mites and bugs,” Montejo said.

 Spiders are usually sold in schools as pets and for spider fighting. The increasing demand for these spiders, however, will result eventually to fewer spiders that control the insect population.

“These spiders turned over by the CCPO will be sorted out according to its species and right after the identification, they will be immediately sent to the wild, most probably in the Cebu City Protected Landscape,” said PAWD chief Ariel Rica.

 Under Republic Act 9147 or the Conservation and Protection Act, anyone who is involved illegal trading and selling of any wildlife species may be imprisoned for two years to four years and may be fined at least P5,000 and up to P300,000.  (FREEMAN)