DEAD pangolins were found on a roadside at the reclamation area in Bacolod City Friday, March 17.
Pangolins, also known as “scaly anteaters,” are burrowing mammals covered in tough, overlapping scales. They quickly roll themselves up into a tight ball to any potential predator.
They are victims of illegal wildlife crime mainly in Asia and in growing amounts in Africa and are considered one of the most endangered groups of mammals in the world.
Around 5 p.m. Friday, residents found the pangolins with no internal organs wrapped in plastic bags and placed inside a sack.
Before the report reached the authorities, the pangolins were frozen when found by a scrap-gatherer Thursday afternoon.
Due to fear, residents failed to report the incident immediately to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
Al Orolfo, regional director of DENR in Negros Island Region (NIR), said in a radio interview that he already directed his personnel to proceed to the area and check the report for investigation. (GYM)