A Philippine deer was rescued in Lapinig town, Northern Samar. (Photo courtesy of Lapinig police)
ORMOC CITY — An endangered Philippine deer was saved by local fishermen from drowning in the sea off Barangay Lapinig Del Norte, Lapinig town in Northern Samar on Wednesday morning.
The fishermen told police that they noticed something swimming in the sea while fishing near Tambak Point, about 300 meters off the coast of Barangay Lapinig Del Norte.
Their curiosity led them to board their motorboat and investigate the area.
The police said the two fishermen were startled when they approached the animal as it was a Philippine Deer, known in the area as “Bugsok.”
Two sharks were following the Deer, so the two fishermen rescued it quickly.
A rope was used to tie the deer to the shore.
Dennis Ariño, Senior Ecosystems Management Specialist of the Conservation and Development Section of the Community Environment and Natural Resources in Pambujan, Northern Samar, noted that it was the first time a deer had been spotted in their area.
He said that the deer measures 1.20 meters in length and .80 meters in height, weighing roughly 30 kgs.
Ariño said the local government of Lapinig opted to adopt the deer through their “Adopt a Wildlife Program.”
“We are looking for a donor of a female deer for them to breed,” he said.
The Philippine deer is considered an endangered species under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Administrative Order 2019-09.