PERSONNEL of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has placed a juvenile Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus) under rehabilitation at the Regional Wildlife Rescue Center in Baclay village, Tukuran, Zamboanga del Sur.

Rosevorico Tan, DENR regional information officer, said Tuesday, October 5, that the rehabilitation process is in preparation for the Brahminy Kite’s release back to the wild.

Personnel of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (Penrp) of Zamboanga del Sur and Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro) of Ramon Magsaysay retrieved the juvenile Brahminy Kite on September 30 from a resident of Paraiso village, Mahayag, in the same province.

Jogie Rara turned over the Brahminy Kite to the DENR team at his residence, which was located in a remote part of Paraiso village.

Rara told the DENR team that he found the juvenile Brahminy Kite in a fallen nest while walking toward his farm.

Due to the distance of the DENR office and restriction of travel because of the health pandemic, Rara took care of the bird until he had an opportunity to inform Cenro personnel on his find.

Tan said that upon initial assessment of the team, the bird was determined to be healthy and in good shape with an estimated weight of 750 grams.

He said the bird was taken to the Regional Wildlife Rescue Center in Baclay village, Tukuran, Zamboanga del Sur for further rehabilitation until its release back to the wild.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) listed the Brahminy Kite as Least Concern but should still be conserved and protected as it contributes to a healthy and balance biodiversity.

The DENR regional office reminded the public that harming and or keeping wildlife species without a permit is a violation of Republic Act 9147, otherwise known as the Wildlife Resource Conservation and Protection Act.

The DENR encouraged everyone to report any wildlife recovered in their area to the nearest Cenro or they may call hotline at 0948-147-1250 or message the official Facebook page of DENR Zamboanga Peninsula. (SunStar Zamboanga)