Teacher turns over baby owl

TACLOBAN CITY – A public school teacher turned over to environmental officers a juvenile owl believed to be either an Everett's Scops Owl or Philippine Hawk-Owl she found in a shrub in San Joaquin, Palompon, Leyte.

Raoul Bacalla, eco-tourism consultant of the municipal government of Palompon, said the baby owl was found by Ana Liza Sun̈er, an elementary teacher at San Joaquin Elementary School at around 9AM on Monday, 29 June.

The owl was turned over Municipal Environment and Eco-Tourism Office (MEETO) during the culmination program of the Environmental Month on Tuesday.

The teacher received P500 reward as wildlife turnover incentive in recognition of her responsible action. The incentive is part of the LGU's Wildlife Conservation Incentive Program.

The owl was subsequently turned over by Palompon Vice Mayor Javes Keith de la Calzada and Bacalla to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, through Provincial ENRO Leyte Head Ildefonso Quiloy and Ormoc City ENRO Ormoc Head Loreta Baldonaza, for proper assessment and care.

Bacalla said the small-sized, brown nocturnal bird of prey had a dark streaking, mottled camouflage feathers, and large forward-facing eyes that adapts for night hunting.

While the Everett's Scops Owl is assessed as a least concern in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, the Philippine Hawk-Owl (Ninox philippensis) is listed as a “threatened species” by the same group due to its rapid decline in population.