TWO raptors and a water bird were rescued by enforcers from the Wildlife Enforcement Team of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) based in Baliwag, Bulacan recently.

The team rescued the wild birds from an alleged wildlife poacher in an effort to save the remaining biodiversity in the province.

According to Dennis Vergara, head of CENRO Baliwag, they have received a complaint from a concerned citizen that two Crested Serpent Eagles (Spilornis cheela) and a White-breasted Waterhen (Amaurornis phoenicurus) have been captured and kept by the suspect in his house in Barangay Pasong Callos in San Rafael, Bulacan.

Cenro-Baliwag immediately conducted an operation and the birds were found inside the residence of the suspect. Upon verification, they found out that the suspect had no documents nor permits from the DENR to keep the raptors. The suspect was identified as Arnold Santos.

“We will file a criminal charge against the suspect for violating Republic Act No. 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act of 2001. Remember, it is illegal and against the law to possess and collect wildlife species without necessary permit from the DENR,” Vergara said.

He also urged the public to report to the nearest DENR office in their area for any illegal wildlife trade and online selling.

The two serpent eagles are now under the custody of the DENR-Biodiversity Management Bureau in Quezon City to undergo care and treatment before it will be released back into the wild.

The White-breasted Waterhen had been released into the wild since it was healthy upon assessment of Cenro Baliwag wildlife personnel.