THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has released seven wild animals back to the natural habitat in the province of Zamboanga del Sur, an official announced Tuesday.

DENR Regional Executive Director Crisanta Marlene Rodriguez said the wild animals were released Saturday, June 6, at Lake Maragang Rainforest Park in Mount Timolan Protected Landscape (MTPL) in Tigabao, Zamboanga del Sur.

Rodriguez said these included: four Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus); one Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis cheela); and, two Reticulated Python (Malayopython reticulatus).

Rodriguez said these wildlifes were rescued and rehabilitated for around six months at the Regional Wildlife Rescue Center (RWRC) in Baclay village, Tukuran, Zamboanga del Sur.

She said that MTPL, with the approval of its Protected Area Management Board (PAMB), is one of the identified releasing sites for the rehabilitated wild animals from the RWRC.

“Our wildlife should remain in the wild,” the DENR Regional Executive Director reiterated.

She said the release of the wild animals is in line with the celebration of the Philippine Environment Month this June and the World Environment Day on Friday, June 5.

Meanwhile, the DENR official is also thankful for the partnership with the Department of Agriculture 9 and the Zamboanga del Sur provincial government for the maintenance and operations of the RWRC. (SunStar Zamboanga)