Juvenile Brahminy kite rescued in South Cotabato

A community turned over a juvenile Brahminy kite (Haliastur indus) to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region XII after it was rescued in Barangay Polonuling, Tupi, South Cotabato.

According to the DENR, the bird was discovered by a community member on 4 September and initially surrendered to the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) of Tupi. MENRO-Tupi endorsed the bird to the Protected Area Management Office of Mt. Matutum Protected Landscape (PAMO-MMPL), which subsequently coordinated its turnover to the Conservation and Development Division (CDD) of DENR Region XII.

The rescued bird was identified as a juvenile weighing approximately 350 grams and measuring 47 centimeters in length. It had brown plumage and cut feathers when it was turned over.

The bird will be brought to the Regional Wildlife Rescue Center (RWRC) in Lutayan, Sultan Kudarat, for further physical assessment and evaluation of its rehabilitation needs.

The rescue highlights the role of community participation and interagency coordination in protecting wildlife. PAMO-MMPL encouraged the public to report injured, displaced, or threatened wildlife to the nearest DENR, protected area, or local environment and natural resources office for proper handling and referral.

The Brahminy kite is a medium-sized bird of prey widely known in the Philippines by local names such as lawin (Tagalog), banog (Visayan/Cebuano), and kali (Ilocano).

While historically considered common in coastal regions, its population faces threats from habitat loss, mangrove destruction, pesticide use, and illegal hunting.