Philippine Scops owl released in Nueva Vizcaya

ENDEMIC. This Philippine Scops owl, a common owl endemic to the country, stares at the camera before it was released back to the wild last week at the Dupax Watershed Forest Reserve in Nueva Vizcaya. PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY DENR-CENRO DUPAX

SANTIAGO CITY — Environment workers released a Philippine Scops owl (Otus megalotis) to the woods within the Dupax Watershed Forest Reserve in Nueva Vizcaya on January 4.

Forester Jay Marshal Jasmin of CENRO-Dupax said in a statement Saturday that the wildlife species was in good condition after it was examined by veterinarians.

CENRO-Dupax refers to the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Dupax del Sur, Nueva Vizcaya.

Jasmin said the bird was turned over by Marc Deo Vallo, 26, a resident of Barangay (village) Malasin in Dupax del Norte, to the town’s DENR field office on January 3.

Vallo told environment workers that the animal entered their house at dawn and was unable to escape. He captured the owl and immediately turned it over to the CENRO-Dupax for “custody and proper care.”

The Philippine Scops owl, also called “Otus Whitehead,” “Whitehead scops owl,” and “Luzon lowland scops owl,” is a common owl endemic to the country.

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