THE PHILIPPINE Cockatoo PETER WIDMANN/CONTRIBUTOR
MANILA, Philippines—Authorities recently busted an illicit breeding and trade of wild birds in a mausoleum in the Manila North Cemetery.
The caretaker identified as Jerry Juan reportedly used the mausoleum to breed various species of birds. He also converted another mausoleum in the Manila North Cemetery into a makeshift aviary to house the birds.
At the time of his arrest last Sept. 23, operatives of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-led Philippine Operations Group on Ivory and Illegal Wildlife Trade found more than 60 birds of different species, including the endangered Philippine cockatoo, in the mausoleum.
Last Oct. 5, task force operatives arrested Artemio Lordan of Calaca, Batangas in the act of selling a brahminy kite (lawin) along Aguinaldo Highway in Alfonso, Cavite.
The DENR said confiscated birds were turned over to its wildlife rescue centers in Quezon City and Cavite. Dona Z. Pazzibugan
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