Concerned Citizens turn over Southeast Asian Box Turtle and juvenile Pangolin to PCSDS

by | May 4, 2022

One Southeast Asian Box Turtle (𝘊𝘶𝘰𝘳𝘢 𝘢𝘮𝘣𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘴) and one juvenile Pangolin (𝘔𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘴) were retrieved by the PCSDS-Wildlife Trafficking Monitoring Unit (WTMU) Brooke’s Point and PCSDS Wildlife Enforcement Unit (WEU) on April 25 and April 26, 2022, respectively.

The Southeast Asian Box turtle was turned over by Mr. Jayson Tañales of Brooke’s Point, Palawan to the PCSDS-WTMU Brooke’s Point sub-office on April 25, 2022. He found the said turtle along the highway of Pangobilian, Brooke’s Point, while he was on his way home. Said wildlife species, which is in good shape, was released back into its natural habitat on April 26, 2022, at 3:00 PM.

The Southeast Asian Box Turtle has a length of 19.05 cm, a width of 16.51 cm, and weighs 1.2 Kg.

On the other hand, a juvenile Pangolin was retrieved by PCSDS Legal Section staff, Mr. Jester Cabular, Mr. Aldin Aparecio, and Mr. Dennis Creach Barcelona, and was subsequently surrendered to the PCSDS WEU on April 29, 2022.

Said Pangolin, which is in good shape, was initially found by Mr. Cabular outside the window of his home in Barangay Mandaragat, Puerto Princesa City, at around 11:00 PM on April 28, 2022. He initially mistook it for a monitor lizard, but he discovered it was a Pangolin upon closer inspection. He immediately requested Mr. Aparecio and Mr. Barcelona’s assistance in capturing the Pangolin and placing it in a cage.

After a thorough examination revealed it is fit for release, the Pangolin, which is in good shape, was released into its natural habitat on April 29, 2022.

The Southeast Asian Box Turtle is listed as an “Endangered Species,” and the Pangolin is listed as a “Critically Endangered Species” under PCSD Resolution No. 15-521.

The PCSDS is urging persons who happen to find or rescue wildlife to turn them over to our office, which can be contacted thru hotline numbers 0935-116-2336 (Globe/TM) and 0948-937-2200 (Smart/TNT). You may also send a message to our Facebook page with your concerns.