Various reptiles and mammals were successfully recovered by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) from a residence in Rosario, Batangas, according to a report released Saturday.
DENR’s specialized unit, the Environmental Law Enforcement and Protection Service (ELEPS), said it received information that an individual using the alias “Dante Alday” was keeping various animal species without the appropriate permits, in violation of Republic Act No. 9147, or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.
Together with other DENR teams and the Philippine National Police Maritime Group, authorities retrieved seven long-tailed macaques, five saltwater crocodiles, three Asian box turtles, one reticulated python, and one Burmese python on 4 February.
The rescued animals were transferred to the APA Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Park in Majayjay, Laguna, for proper observation and rehabilitation.
The DENR reiterated that the illegal possession and ownership of wildlife species without the required permits is a violation of the law and urged the public to report similar cases to the authorities.