A juvenile Philippine Scops Owl (𝘖𝘵𝘶𝘴 𝘮𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘴) was rescued by a concerned citizen from Barangay Gabihan in the town of San Ildefonso, Bulacan.

In a report on 4 July 2026, Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Baliwag Head Dennis Vergara said that the concerned citizen took the young owl into temporary custody to ensure its safety before surrendering it to the DENR for proper handling.

Upon turnover, wildlife enforcement officers of CENRO Baliwag immediately assessed the owl's condition before transporting it to the Biodiversity Management Bureau Wildlife Rescue Center in Quezon City for appropriate rehabilitation and wildlife management.

DENR Regional Executive Director Ralph Pablo commended the concerned citizen for responsibly turning over the owl instead of keeping it, emphasizing that public cooperation plays a vital role in protecting the country's wildlife and conserving biodiversity.

"We thank the public for their continued support in protecting and conserving our wildlife. Your concern for the environment demonstrates that a mobilized and responsible citizenry is vital to the success of our environmental programs and conservation efforts," Pablo said.

The DENR reminds the public that Republic Act No. 9147, or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, prohibits the collection, hunting, possession, transport, and trade of wildlife and their by-products without the necessary permits issued by the government.

Individuals who encounter injured, abandoned, or displaced wild animals are encouraged to immediately report the incident to the nearest DENR office or appropriate authorities for proper rescue, assessment, and rehabilitation.