TO CONTRIBUTE to the conservation efforts of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Cebu Ocean Park, the first marine park in the Visayas and Mindanao, has been taking care of rescued animals in the region.

Hitesh Sampat, park general manager, said they and the DENR have an agreement.

“Some of those animals that were captured or have been victims to illegal trade will be under us as we have partnered with the agency,” he said.

The animals, which include a serpent eagle, a hawk, albino pythons, monitor lizards and an Australian parrot, have become part of their attractions, he said.

The Cebu Ocean Park, which houses the biggest oceanarium in the country, also houses reptiles and birds.

Sampat said they’ve already released two rescued animals in the wild.

Not only do they have the facility to house these animals, but they also have the facility to take care of them, he said.

Sampat said they are negotiating with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (Bfar) so they can house rescued endangered aquatic animals.

“This is where we can rejuvenate them and breed them so when they are ready to go, we release them. We are the rescue partner of DENR and Bfar,” he said.

The 1.5-hectare Cebu Ocean Park is located inside the SM Seaside Complex at the South Road Properties in Cebu City. It currently is home to 200 species and a growing inventory of 20,000 animals, most of them marine animals.

Among its attractions are a seven-meter deep aquarium that is home to thousands of marine species and a 360-degree viewing tunnel. (JOB)