Vulnerable species of native deer rescued in Balbalan

Balbalan, Kalinga – A deer from a family of vulnerable, endemic deer species in the country that was rescued by the Forest Protection and Law Enforcement Unit of Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO)-Pinukpuk in Balbalan is now safe at the Protected Area (PA) in Balbalan, Kalinga.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Cordillera reports this on Thursday, September 30, 2021.

According to Lonicio Segundo, Chief of the Forest Protection and Law Enforcement Unit of CENRO-Pinukpuk, they went to rescue the deer after receiving a report from a concerned individual about a deer trapped and caged.

They headed to the location in Barangay Talalang and found the deer in a cage at a gravel pit. It has injuries in its four limbs with a cut in its left front limb believed to have been caused by a wire trap.

Segundo said that they saw no one in the area during the operation.

CENR Officer Francisco M. Balutoc said that the male calf Philippine deer (Rusa Mariann) which is a vulnerable species or those not yet endangered by extinction, but possible to become endangered due to unfavorable circumstances was brought back at the PA in Balbalan for further monitoring, and proper care. The transfer was also prompted since that the temperature in Pinukpuk is not favorable to the condition of the deer.

Once healed from its injuries, they will release the deer to its natural habitat, Balutoc said.

With this, he then reminded the public about RA 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, saying that as the law provides, the collection, gathering, or harvesting of wildlife from their natural habitat and possessing and selling the same without the necessary permit, are violations and are punishable.

Under the act, an individual caught violating will be imprisoned of six (6) months and one (1) day to one (1) year and/or a fine of P10,000.00 to P100,000.00 if inflicted or undertaken against other wildlife species.

Further, Balutoc relayed that with the continuing conduct of intensified information campaign of this law within the municipalities of Balbalan and Pinukpuk, the people are already becoming vigilant and are now immediately relaying information to the CENR Office of the unusual presence of wildlife illegally caught and kept by individuals in their communities.

Balutoc said that this support and awareness of the public to protect the environment and its wildlife will contribute a lot in saving the remaining wildlife, including the local flora and fauna, which is important in sustaining the balance of nature and the web of life.

The CENR Officer is encouraging the public to strengthen the partnership and protect existing wildlife to serve as legacy for their children and grandchildren in the future.

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