DENR sets sights on zoos, pet shops in drive vs wildlife trade

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is seeking an investigation of the operation of zoos and pet shops across the country, saying they could be serving as fronts for the illegal wildlife trade.

Environment Undersecretary Benny Antiporda said the DENR would beef up its intelligence capabilities to look into illegal activities of zoos and pet stores, days after nine critically endangered animals were stolen from Avilon Zoo in Rodriguez, Rizal province.

“This matter may have been overlooked because they are thought to be legitimate activities, but what we have gathered is how the zoos and pet shops are actually a convenient cover for illegal wildlife trade,” Antiporda said in an interview.

The unlawful sale of wildlife has become lucrative because poachers and their conduits have been eluding detection, he said.

Antiporda noted that the DENR still lacked a dedicated intelligence-gathering arm to help its Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) investigate the loss of animals at Avilon Zoo, as well as other wildlife trafficking cases.

On Tuesday last week, Avilon Zoo reported that nine animals were stolen from its conservation breeding facility, prompting the BMB to call on the public for help in recovering the animals.

Taken from the zoo were three mature red-footed tortoises, a mature yellow-footed tortoise, a mature common snapping turtle, three mature black palm cockatoos and a juvenile brown tufted capuchin monkey.

BMB Director Crisanta Marlene Rodriguez said the bureau would treat all information provided to the investigation with confidentiality.

Persons caught trading stolen wildlife may be charged with violating Republic Act No. 9147, or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, and face a maximum prison term of six years and a fine of up to P500,000.

“We are serious in the implementation of wildlife laws, as well as in our commitment to international wildlife trade agreements. Mere possession of undocumented wildlife species as well as illegal trade of such species is punishable under local and international laws,” Rodriguez said.

Except for the capuchin monkey, all the stolen Avilon Zoo animals are listed among the critically endangered animals under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites).

All Cites-listed species are subject to strict regulations in international trade by countries that are party to the convention, and locally, they are considered “threatened with extinction” under a DENR administrative order, Rodriguez said.

Information on the missing animals may be reported to the nearest DENR office or through the BMB Facebook page. Informants may also contact Avilon Zoo at (02) 213-1062 and 948-986.