P160,000 worth of bearded dragons seized in Manila
Wildlife law enforcers seized in Manila last week an estimated P160,000 worth of undocumented bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps) while being transported to Cartimar Market in Pasay City. Authorities from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), in coordination with Pandacan police, confiscated the juvenile bearded dragons from a minor at a checkpoint along Quirino Avenue on April 22. The minor, who was on a motorcycle, was ferrying the reptiles to Cartimar Market, a known trading hub for sanimals, including illegal wildlife. While the trade of bearded dragons is regulated, the minor failed to show any permit from the DENR. These animals are usually sold as pets. The reptiles were turned over to the DENR’s Biodiversity Management Bureau for safekeeping.
