DENR-8 rescues PH long-tailed macaque
TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Region 8 (DENR-8) has rescued a monkey that caused fear at a household here after it broke free from being held captive, a report from the agency said on Monday, January 18.
DENR-8 Regional Executive Director Tirso P. Parian, Jr. told The Manila Bulletin the monkey, a Philippine long-tailed macaque, had sowed fear among members of a household, which included minors, when it went wild after breaking free from its reins.
“This should serve as a reminder that any wildlife deserves to be left alone in the wild because this is where they belong. Unless one has secured the necessary permits, having custody of any wildlife is a violation of R.A. 9147 otherwise known as the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act”, Parian said.
Parian explained that the monkey was rescued by personnel of the DENR-8 after it escaped from its owner in Barangay 59-A here.
After its escape, a member of the household reported to barangay officials that the monkey invaded their home and ransacked the contents of their refrigerator.
This caused so much fear in the household that the members of the family, including some children, decided to lock themselves in a room.
That was when the DENR-8 personnel were summoned to rescue the monkey, which was assessed to be sub-adult, was a subspecies of crab-eating macaque.
It was already very aggressive, and its temperament may have also been aggravated by a wound in his belly that was punctured by the wire used to tie it down.
Parian reported that the monkey was then brought to the Regional Wildlife Rescue Center at PENRO-Leyte for assessment and rehabilitation.
“Unfortunately, most rescued monkeys are no longer released back to the wild because they are normally not accepted by other monkey troops and are instead attacked and killed. Even if released, it will have to undergo extensive rehabilitation and preparation,” Parian said.
Parian warned that sections 27 and 28 of R.A. 9147 or the “Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act,” prohibits the injuring, killing, collection and trading of wildlife. Any violation thereof is punishable with a fine of as low as P1,000 to as high as P5,000,000 and/or imprisonment of one month to as long as twelve years, depending on the classification and status of the wildlife.