Rare ocean bird rescued in Baguio City

Baguio City, Philippines – A young seabird rarely seen away from the open ocean was rescued in the pine forest of Camp John Hay by two security personnel patrolling along the Yellow Trail, an area known as a haven for forest birds. The bird was sighted on November 10 after being blown far inland by the powerful winds of Super Typhoon Uwan.

The Red-tailed Tropicbird is a pelagic seabird, meaning it spends almost its entire life over the open ocean and rarely comes to land except to breed or nest. Unlike coastal or inland birds, pelagic species are highly adapted to life far from shore.

According to John Hay Management Corporation (JHMC) security personnel via local media, they found the weakened bird and turned it over to the Environment and Asset Management Department (EAMD), which then coordinated with the DENR Conservation Development Division for its care and rehabilitation.

The DENR noted that extreme weather events, such as the recent Super Typhoon Uwan, can force ocean-dwelling species to stray from their natural ranges as they try to escape severe storms.

To recall, Baguio City was placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 4 on November 9, along with most provinces in the Cordillera region.

Meanwhile, the rescued seabird is now under observation and rehabilitation before being returned to its natural marine habitat.