Filipinos were amused by the sight of ostriches running free in a private subdivision in Quezon City last week but many have been asking how the wild animals found their way there.
The animals' owner Jonathan Cruz has already turned over one of the ostriches to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), while he claimed the other ostrich has died due to stress.
Under the Republic Act 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act of 2001, collection of wildlife may be allowed provided that appropriate and acceptable wildlife collection techniques with least or no detrimental effects to the existing wildlife populations and their habitats will be done.
However, the collection and utilization of animals does not include threatened species. Threatened species is a general term to indicate that a species or subspecies is critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable, or other accepted categories of wildlife whose populations are at risk of extinction.
RA 9147 states that the DENR has jurisdiction over all terrestrial plant and animal species, all turtles and tortoises and wetland species, including but not limited to crocodiles, water birds and all amphibians and dugong, while the Department of Agriculture has jurisdiction over all declared aquatic critical habitats, aquatic resources, including but not limited to all fishes, aquatic plants, invertebrates, and all marine mammals, except dugong.
The law however clearly states that no person or entity shall be allowed possession of wildlife unless such person or entity can prove financial and technical capability and the appropriate facility to maintain said wildlife.
Taking into consideration that the ostrich is a non-threatened species, it is allowed to be kept as a pet provided that a certificate of wildlife registration (CWR) has been obtained from the Biodiversity Management Bureau or its regional or local offices.
A CWR is a permit that enables wildlife keepers and owners to legitimize their ownership of the animals.
Animal species acquired from DENR-registered breeders or sellers are eligible for CWR, while those obtained through other means are deemed illegal and are therefore not qualified for CWR.
A CWR, meanwhile, is not required for domesticated farm and pet animals.
To apply for a permit, one should go to the Wildlife Resources and Permitting Section (WRPS) of the DENR regional office near the area where they keep their pet wild animal.
A duly accomplished application form and proof of legal acquisition of wild animal e.g. official receipt, deed of sale, deed of donation, etc. should be submitted.
Applicants need to bring their pets for inspection to the WRPS office or schedule an on-site inspection for animals that are difficult to transport.
After animal inspection and documentation, they will have to pay the assessed fees. For one to 50 heads, P50; 51 to 100 heads, P500; 101 to 200 heads, P750; and 201 and above heads, P1,000.
After payment, the official receipt will have to be presented to the WRPS staff and they will be advised on the release date of CWR. Processing usually takes one to three days.
DENR said that if they plan to relocate the pet, they have to secure a local transport permit first from DENR.