CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has urged the public to immediately report wildlife sightings, rescue cases, or illegal wildlife trade activities following the turnover of a juvenile Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus) by local government workers in Bataan.

DENR 3 (Central Luzon) Executive Director Ralph Pablo commended the local government unit (LGU) of Limay town for its swift action in bringing the bird of prey to the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Pilar town on Thursday.

"We urge the public to immediately report wildlife sightings, rescue cases, or illegal wildlife trade activities to the nearest DENR office and to avoid capturing or keeping wild animals," Pablo said in a statement.

Limay’s LGU workers turned over the juvenile Brahminy Kite to the DENR for proper care, monitoring, and rehabilitation.

Based on an initial evaluation by DENR staff, the juvenile raptor is estimated to be three-months-old, weighs approximately 1.1 kilos, and was found in good physical condition.

The DENR placed the Brahminy Kite under the care of the Protected Area Management Office of the Roosevelt Protected Landscape, where it will undergo further observation and rehabilitation before its planned release back into the wild.

CENRO-Pilar head Marivic Santos underscored the importance of community involvement in wildlife protection, noting that timely coordination is crucial to conservation efforts.

Pablo noted that collaboration between LGUs and environmental authorities strengthens biodiversity protection programs.

The Brahminy Kite is classified as a species of "Least Concern" under the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, but it remains protected under Philippine wildlife laws. (PNA)