PERSONNEL of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) have released a Samar Cobra back to its natural habitat in the province of Zamboanga del Sur.
DENR Regional Information Officer Rosevirico Tan said Thursday, February 10, that the Samar Cobra was released by the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro)-Guipos last week in the forest of Tandubuay village, San Pablo town.
Tan said the cobra was turned over to Cenro-Guipos last week. Robsferrie Abing found it in his residence in Poblacion village, San Pablo.
He said the cobra was released back to the wild after it was found to be fit, good and healthy condition.
He said the cobra has an estimated length of one meter and weighing 350 grams.
The Samar Cobra, also known as the Southern Philippine Cobra, is endemic to the islands of Visayas and Mindanao.
It belongs to the "spitting" species that can defensively project venom from their fangs when they feel threatened.
It is listed by the international Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as least concern.
Tan urged the public to immediately report any wildlife concerns to DENR for the proper handling, rescue, and retrieval operations.
He said they may call and send text message to hotline number at 0948-147-1250. (SunStar Zamboanga)