Rare bird claimed by city resident

An endangered bird perched on a narra tree for hours near the Capitol building before Cebu City Zoo officers arrived to take it, only to see it fly away.

A city resident named Joey Ejercito claimed the rare bird, saying he acquired it from someone in Burias Island, Masbate, two years ago.

He said the hawk locally known as banog was kept in a cage.

Ejercito said the cage was destroyed last Monday and he had to tie the bird but it escaped not long after.

He said the bird would usually return to his home. Ejercito said he feeds fresh fish to the hawk.

Ejercito said he would want to keep the hawk that has been endorsed to him by his friend.

Giovanni Romarate, Cebu City Zoo chief, said the banog falls under  the “hawk” family.

“Hawks are predators. They usually devour rodents and even chicks,” Romarate told reporters.

Romarate said they are willing to bring the hawk to the Cebu City Zoo if Ejercito is willing to turn it over to them.

Ejercito said he would welcome any decision by the authorities to take the bird from him.

Romarate said they are willing to secure the bird inside the Cebu City Zoo.  Reporter Ador Vincent Mayol