ILOILO CITY – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-6 (Western Visayas) said a Visayan leopard card, locally known as “maral,” was recently rescued in Mambusao town, Capiz province.
The animal reportedly attacked chickens in a rice field owned by farmer Lony Salaya in Barangay Burias early this month.
A VISAYAN leopard cat was recently rescued in Mambusao town, Capiz province. (DENR-6/CENRO Mambusao)
Salaya captured the maral and contacted the DENR-6 Community Environment and Natural Resources Office-Mambusao to check the animal considered as an vulnerable species.
CENRO-Mambusao head Arlene Cobrado said the maral was in good condition and decided it was best to release it back to its natural habitat.
The DENR-6 reminded the public that the Wildlife Resources Protection and Conservation Act prohibits the poaching, illegal hunting, and possession of wildlife species without any permits.
“Please do not hesitate to contact the nearest DENR office when wildlife species are found. Do not hurt or kill them because it is our collective responsibility to care for our wildlife, especially those which are already threatened and are endemic to our region,” said DENR-6 Regional Director Livino Duran in a statement.