Barn owl spotted, released in La Union
Published May 27, 2020 12:00 am
By Ellalyn de Vera-Ruiz
A juvenile barn owl (Tyto alba) spotted in Bauang, La Union has been successfully released back into the wild, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
(MANILA BULLETIN)
The young owl was discovered by Gil Elopre in his rice field at Barangay Nagrebcan last May 10. He brought the owl home and kept it until he decided the following day to call the hotline of the DENR Action Center based in Quezon City to report the incident.
After getting a call from Elopre, the action center immediately notified the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) in La Union, which then assigned wildlife enforcement officers to conduct the rescue operation.
The barn owl, measuring 18 centimeters and weighing 2 kilograms, has been found healthy and without injuries. This has prompted the PENRO to release the raptor in a forested area in Naguilian town the same day it was rescued.
Barn owls, which belong to the Tytonidae family, are widely found in different continents around the world and are known for eating rodents like mice in agricultural lands.
Despite the stable population status of barn owls in the Philippines, the DENR still gives importance to the wildlife species as they contribute to the ecological balance of nature by eradicating pests.
DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu has been urging the public to leave wild animals alone, unless they are sick, orphaned or injured, as reports of their sightings have increased during the coronavirus pandemic.
Cimatu said that possession, transportation and importation of wild animals are regulated under Republic Act 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act of 2001.
Any sightings of injured, orphaned or sick wildlife may be reported to the DENR- Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) through its mobile numbers 0917 868 3367 and 0917 885 3367 or through the DENR Action Center and Hotline 8888.
According to the BMB, it is completely illegal to injure and kill all wildlife, except for scientific research and other permissible instances.
Up to 12 years of jail and/or a P1 million fine awaits violators for killing wildlife, while up to six years of jail and/or a P500,000 fine awaits violators for injuring wildlife.
The BMB also pointed out that without appropriate permits, it is illegal to collect, possess, buy, sell, import and export all wildlife, by-products and derivatives. Violators will be jailed up to four years and imposed fine of up to P300,000.
Meanwhile, illegally transporting wildlife is punishable by up to a year of jail and a fine of P100,000.
(MANILA BULLETIN)
The young owl was discovered by Gil Elopre in his rice field at Barangay Nagrebcan last May 10. He brought the owl home and kept it until he decided the following day to call the hotline of the DENR Action Center based in Quezon City to report the incident.
After getting a call from Elopre, the action center immediately notified the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) in La Union, which then assigned wildlife enforcement officers to conduct the rescue operation.
The barn owl, measuring 18 centimeters and weighing 2 kilograms, has been found healthy and without injuries. This has prompted the PENRO to release the raptor in a forested area in Naguilian town the same day it was rescued.
Barn owls, which belong to the Tytonidae family, are widely found in different continents around the world and are known for eating rodents like mice in agricultural lands.
Despite the stable population status of barn owls in the Philippines, the DENR still gives importance to the wildlife species as they contribute to the ecological balance of nature by eradicating pests.
DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu has been urging the public to leave wild animals alone, unless they are sick, orphaned or injured, as reports of their sightings have increased during the coronavirus pandemic.
Cimatu said that possession, transportation and importation of wild animals are regulated under Republic Act 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act of 2001.
Any sightings of injured, orphaned or sick wildlife may be reported to the DENR- Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) through its mobile numbers 0917 868 3367 and 0917 885 3367 or through the DENR Action Center and Hotline 8888.
According to the BMB, it is completely illegal to injure and kill all wildlife, except for scientific research and other permissible instances.
Up to 12 years of jail and/or a P1 million fine awaits violators for killing wildlife, while up to six years of jail and/or a P500,000 fine awaits violators for injuring wildlife.
The BMB also pointed out that without appropriate permits, it is illegal to collect, possess, buy, sell, import and export all wildlife, by-products and derivatives. Violators will be jailed up to four years and imposed fine of up to P300,000.
Meanwhile, illegally transporting wildlife is punishable by up to a year of jail and a fine of P100,000.