THE Department of Natural Resources (DENR)-Davao and Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (Penro) halted an illegal trade of juvenile birds in Panabo City, Davao del Norte.
According to DENR-Davao, it confiscated the three kingfishers from a minor online seller who discovered the said wildlife on a rotten tree.
DENR said they received a report and immediately reached out to the minor to check the birds and to investigate the supposed illegal trade.
“Nakita siya actually sa FB, kay nag-trend siya, and then gi-report siya mismo sa aming Regional Executive Director and then after that bumaba ‘yong mga taga DENR personnel,” said Jayvee Agas, DENR Davao Regional Public Affairs Office chief.
DENR said the transportation and trading of wildlife without the necessary permit and proper documentation is prohibited under Republic Act 9147, known as the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act of 2001.
“‘Yong claim niya hindi niya na maalagaan yong bird, kasi juvenile pa sya (kingfishers) so in good faith naman na ibenta niya, hindi lang siguro siya aware na wildlife ‘yong nakita niya na ibon (He claimed that he can no longer keep the kingfishers and in good faith they planned to sell it),” Agas said.
The minor said they initially planned to rescue the wildlife but due to being incapable of raising it, they decided to sell it online for P1,200 for the three kingfishers.
Agas said the kingfisher is classified as “least concerned.”
“Ibig sabihin marami pa yong population niya, but since it is a wildlife, still protected ng law natin which is Republic Act 9147 (It means that it has a large number of the population but still protected by the RA 9147),” Agas said.
The violators of any illegal wildlife activity may receive the following penalties and fines:
* Imprisonment of two years and one day to four years and/or a fine of P5,000 to P300,000, if inflicted or undertaken against species listed as critical;
* Imprisonment of one year and one day to two years and/or a fine of P2,000 to P200,000 if inflicted or undertaken against endangered species;
If inflicted or undertaken against vulnerable species, an imprisonment of six months and one day to one year and/or a fine of P1,000 to P100,000.
For threatened species, imprisonment of one month and one day to six months and/or a fine of P500 to P50,000.
Other wildlife species will receive imprisonment of10 days to one month and/or a fine of P200 to P20,000.
The wildlife species have been turned over to the DENR. No cases were filed against the minor seller with his mother but were educated about the law prohibiting illegal activities