A concerned resident of Barangay Sta. Lourdes has turned over a Palawan Pangolin (Manis culionensis) to Palawan Council and Sustainable Development Staff (PCSDS) on Saturday.
Jovic Fabello, PCSDS spokesperson told Palawan Daily News (PDN) Monday, its rescuer Ms. Kathleen Escosura relayed to them that the pangolin was being chased by unidentified persons morning of the same day.
“Ang kuwento noong Sabado na ‘yan noong umaga raw, pumasok daw ‘yong pangolin sa compound nitong nag-turn over. Hinahabol daw ‘yong pangolin ng mga hindi kilalang tao, tapos umakyat daw ito doon sa puno sa loob ng compound. So minabuti na nilang hulihin using a net. After that mga 12 noon na, tumawag na sa office at pinuntahan na namin to rescue the pangolin,” said Fabello.
Fabello said the pangolin is initially identified as male of around five kilograms body-weight.
He said the pangolin is most likely an adult already.
In an official Facebook page of PCSDS, it noted that Palawan Pangolin (Manis culionensis) is a species endemic to Palawan.
PCSD on the same post stated that pangolins are the most trafficked mammals in the world and was listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as “critically endangered”.
PCSD further stated that the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) as listed under its Appendix I, bans the commercial trade of pangolins.
Fabello also reminded the public that their personnel are continuously at work towards properly enforcing laws on environment and wildlife amidst the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
“Paalala natin sa ating mga kababayan na despite na mayroon tayong ECQ tungkol dito sa COVID-19 pandemic, tuluy-tuloy pa rin po ‘yong serbisyo ng ating gobyerno partikular po ang PCSD, sa pagpapatupad ng mga batas patungkol sa wildlife, sa chainsaw, at sa cage. Ito nga kadalasan sa mga ganitong klaseng pagkakataon ay sinsasamantala ng ating mga kababayan ‘yong walang tao sa lugar. Akala lang nila na walang tao ngunit maroon pong mga tao diyan na nagbabantay pa rin patungkol sa ating environment at sa ating mga wildlife,” said Fabello.
The public may contact PCSDS for reports on wildlife at 0935-116-2336 and 0948-937-2200 or directly message them on their official Facebook page at facebook.com/pcsd7611.