By Miguel Gil
In Puerto Princesa, Palawan, an elderly resident of Barangay Inagawan rescued an adult male pangolin (Manis culionensis) from a pack of dogs on Thursday evening. According to an online post by the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) on Friday, 64-year-old local resident Bonifacio Mariscal saved the pangolin, also known as the Philippine or Palawan Pangolin, which was being pursued by dogs near his residence.
He then sought the assistance of Rustico Aparecho, 71, to bring the animal, which can weigh as much as 35 kilograms, to a police station in Barangay Luzviminda.
The two men were then accompanied by policemen in taking the endangered mammal to the offices of the PCSD, where it was given a check-up and now being cared for.
“In my entire life, this is the first time I’ve seen a balintong (local name for pangolin). I’ve heard stories about this animal but it’s a different feeling seeing it in person. It was a pitiful sight to witness it being chased by dogs. That’s why we took it to the police, because they would know where to take it so it would be safe,” Mariscal said in Filipino.
The Palawan Pangolin holds critical ecological significance as an endemic species to Palawan and is currently designated as a “Critically Endangered” species, according to the PCSD.
Meanwhile, about 120 kilometers away from this city, in Roxas town, combined personnel of the Bantay Dagat Roxas and the Philippine National Police (PNP) intercepted a boat that yielded 13 “talking maynahs” (common hill myna) that were apparently poached and intended to be sold.
Bong Libiran, head of Bantay Dagat Roxas, said lawmen tried to flag the boat down to check the crews’ licenses but instead of slowing down they tried to make a getaway.
The boat was eventually caught, leading to the discovery of the birds, most of which had already died.
Only four of the birds were still alive, the rest had died while being transported, Libiran recounted.
Two more birds expired despite the best efforts of authorities to save them, he added.
The boat’s four crew members are now facing criminal charges for violation of Republic Act 9147 or Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act. (PNA)
