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DENR seizes illegally imported live reptiles at NAIA

Philippines | National

DENR seizes illegally imported live reptiles at NAIA

By Faith Argosino

Law enforcement personnel of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) seized illegally imported bearded dragons and tegus at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

In a statement issued by the DENR-National Capital Region, it stated the seized items came from Bangkok, Thailand. Among them were two heads of bearded dragons, a green iguana, six heads of black and white tegus.

They arrived in a parcel at the Central Mail Exchange Center (CMEC) in Pasay City recently.

photo: DENR

“The contents of the box were described as 'commercial samples' but upon opening, nine plastic containers with one live reptile each were found instead,” the DENR-NCR said in a statement issued on March 13.

The agency added that the importation of wildlife into the country requires a permit from the DENR for terrestrial plant and animal species or the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) of the Department of Agriculture for fishes, aquatic plants, invertebrates, and all marine mammals.

For temporary custody and care, confiscated reptiles were taken to the Regional Wildlife Rescue Center at the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center in Quezon City.

In an earlier statement, former DENR Sec. Roy A Cimatu reminded the public to follow legal measures regarding the purchase or transport of wildlife, citing the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act of 2001 or Republic Act (RA) 9147.

He said that violators would pay a fine between P5,000 to P300,000 for trading wildlife. On the other hand, violators will face six months to one-year imprisonment or a fine from P50,000 to P100,000 for the mere transport of wildlife

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