TORTOISES were among the wildlife animals rescued in a resort in Medellin, Cebu. (Contributed photo)
CEBU CITY – Authorities rescued wildlife species illegally kept in a resort in Barangay Kawit, Medellin, northern Cebu.
During the operation, which was conducted on Wednesday morning, June 3, operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Mandaue City Field Unit also took into custody the manager of the resort, Marilyn Ong Kuan, 55, of Tetuan, Zamboanga City.
Personnel from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Central Visayas and Medellin Municipal Police Station were also present during the operation.
Police said the resort violated Republic Act No. 9147 or Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act of 2001 for keeping wildlife animals without necessary permits.
Among the rescued animals were two blue-naped parrots, a brahminy kite, a black palm cockatoo, a catalina macaw, a green-winged macaw, a blue-and-gold macaw, four African spurred tortoises, an African grey parrot, and three eclectus parrots.
The rescued animals were valued at P3.5 million.
Police said the operation was launched due to reports that wildlife species were kept in the resort.
During the inspection, the animals were found to have been caged and used as the resort’s attraction.
The animals were rescued after management failed to present necessary permits showing that the resort was authorized to keep or transport wildlife species.