South Cotabato villagers voluntarily turn over caged wildlife to DENR

Some of the short-billed brown doves, locally known as “Alimokon,” that local residents of Sarangani handed over to DENR-12. “Alimokon” is known also as “humming birds” as their chirping sounds like music to one’s ears as one relaxes under a huge tree in the jungle. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY DENR

KORONADAL CITY — After the recent operations that led to the rescue of birds from the hands of vloggers involved in wildlife hunting and trading, several residents of Barangay Pangyan in Glan, Sarangani have come forward and voluntarily surrendered their caged wildlife animals to personnel of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR Region 12).

Dr. Rosalinda B. Cortez, Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer (Cenro) of Glan, said several residents decided to surrender their caged wildlife upon learning that mere possession of them made them liable for violations of the Republic Act 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Protection and Conservation Act.

A total of 24 short-billed brown doves locally known as “Alimokon” were turned over on Wednesday, Feb. 22, by residents who admitted that they only kept the birds to keep up with the trends on social media during the pandemic without knowing that it was strictly prohibited by law.

Since January, a total of 84 birds of various species have been rescued in the Soccsksargen region from vloggers and hunters. But no one has been arrested so far.

Of the 84 rescued birds, 61 were released back to the forested area of Glan on Thursday, Feb. 23, Cortez said. The released birds included 60 short-billed brown doves and one pink-necked green pigeon.

Lawyer Felix S. Alicer, regional executive director (RED) of the DENR-12, reiterated the DENR’s call to the public not to keep the wildlife species as pets as it would be against the law. “We should let the wildlife species live in their natural habitats. If anyone has rescued a wild animal, we advise them to immediately turn it over to the nearest DENR office for proper care,” he said.

On Feb. 13, DENR personnel and the local police seized 39 caged white-eared brown doves from a vlogger’s house in Barangay Pangyan, Glan, Sarangani province but the vlogger was nowhere to be found.

Forester Garex Christian Al-ag, chief of the CENRO Glan monitoring and enforcement section, said they were preparing a case against the vlogger behind the “Alimokon Glan Sarangani Province” Facebook group for violating the Republic Act No. 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act of 2001.

On Feb. 1, DENR personnel also confiscated 21 wildlife species in Barangay Danlag, Tampakan, South Cotabato.

Alicer said DENR-12 would be constantly monitoring the illegal wildlife activities in the region, including those on social media. He said those who would continue to engage in these illegal activities would face harsh penalties provided by law.

Cortez also warned residents that aside from violating the Wildlife Act, possession of the birds could also put at risk the health of their families and entire community because these wildlife could be carriers of some diseases.

Instead, she urged the public to make use of social media to disseminate information on how to protect these species.

She also encouraged residents to be one of the department’s wildlife extension officers and help the DENR protect and conserve wildlife in their areas. “You can help us address the illegal wildlife trade which is an industry that involves unlawful harvesting and trafficking of wild animals and plants,” she said.

The wildlife species were first taken into custody by the DENR-12 Regional Wildlife Rescue Center, whose personnel conducted health examinations on the birds before these were released back to the wild.

Alicer said the presence of short-billed brown doves or “Alimokon” was an indication of the still healthy condition of the region’s forests, which remained a haven for birds. It also showed that the region’s ecosystem was still rich and served as a safe sanctuary for endangered species of migratory birds, sea creatures and the Philippine Eagle.

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