𝐏𝐂𝐒𝐃𝐒 𝐃𝐌𝐃 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐭 𝐑𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐥, 𝐏𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐧

𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟕, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 – On 27th February 2024, the PCSDS DMD South successfully rescued a critically endangered Palawan Pangolin (𝙈𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙨 𝙘𝙪𝙡𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙨) locally referred to as balintong, in Rizal, Palawan. Ms. Jonamarie C. Licpan from the District Management Division South and staff from the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) in Barangay Punta Baja worked hand in hand to ensure the safe retrieval and proper care of the pangolin.

The rescue operation was prompted by a concerned citizen, Ms. Frelanie Catriz, who discovered the pangolin by the roadside in Purok Salongsong, Barangay Iraan, on the evening of 26th February 2024. Despite some healed injuries, including a missing hind leg whose cause remains unknown, the animal was in need of assistance.

The Palawan Pangolin holds critical ecological significance as an endemic species to Palawan and is designated as “Critically Endangered” under PCSD Resolution No. 23-967 (unpublished), with further protection provided by its listing under Appendix I of CITES. It is imperative to safeguard these creatures to maintain ecological equilibrium and preserve biodiversity.

The PCSDS encourages fellow citizens who happen to encounter any live wildlife to leave them alone in their natural habitat. However, if said animal is under or poses an immediate risk, only then could they be turned over to our office or seek assistance by calling our hotlines: PCSDS Wildlife Enforcement Unit (WEU) at 0931-964-2128 (Smart), or the PCSDS Front Desk hotline at 0970-302-8554 (Smart) and Landline (048) 434-4235 / 434-4234. PCSDS can also be reached through Facebook (pcsd7611), Instagram (pcsd_ra7611), and Twitter (@pcsds7611).