๐๐จ๐ง๐๐๐ฒ, ๐๐ ๐๐๐ง๐ฎ๐๐ซ๐ฒ ๐๐๐๐ – the PCSDS ECAN Zones Management and Enforcement Division (EZMED) ensured the safety of one (1) live hedgehog after it was recently turned over by a concerned citizen, Mr. Diosdado V. Muลoz.
According to Mr. Muลoz, the said wildlife was found yesterday, January 14, 2024, in his neighborโs house at Ildefonso Subdivision, Barangay San Manuel around 8:30 in the evening. Mistaking it to be a porcupine, he decided to ensure its safety by safekeeping it and turning it over to the PCSDS.
Appearing to be in good health, the Wildlife Enforcement Officer โ Wildlife Rescue Team (WEO-WRT) immediately placed the hedgehog under the custody of our partner agency, the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center (PWRCC), where the resident veterinarian will identify its age, gender, and condition for its proper care and/or disposition.
Although hedgehogs are listed as โLeast Concernโ species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, they are classified as exotic wildlife and still fall under the regulation of Republic Act 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act and its various provisions, as all activities involving exotic wildlife must secure prior approval from the PCSDS, such as but not limited to, trading and keeping, or for breeding/propagation or research purposes.
The PCSDS encourages fellow citizens who happen to encounter or capture any live wildlife to kindly turn them over to our office or call our hotlines: PCSDS Wildlife Enforcement Unit (WEU) at 09319642128 (TNT) and 09656620248 (TM), or the PCSDS Front Desk hotline at 0935-116-2336 (Globe/TM) and 0948-937-2200 (Smart/TNT). You can also send a message to our Facebook page for any concerns you may have.