Two Southeast Asian Box Turtles (๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ณ๐ข ๐ข๐ฎ๐ฃ๐ฐ๐ช๐ฏ๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ด๐ช๐ด) and Pangolin (๐๐ข๐ฏ๐ช๐ด ๐ค๐ถ๐ญ๐ช๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ด๐ช๐ด) were turned over by concerned citizens from Barangay Milagrosa and Barangay Sicsican, Puerto Princesa City, to the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff (PCSDS) on May 16, 2022.
The two turtles were found by Ms. Ana Marie and Mr. Tony Tatvan, siblings, near their home in Barangay Milagrosa in the last week of April and on May 15, 2022, respectively. Mr. Tony shared that because he is fond of wildlife species, he intentionally searched on Facebook where they could turn over the turtles where they can be properly taken care of.
The Pangolin was turned over by Mr. Robinson B. Medina and Mr. Earl Siason of Rampano Road, Barangay Sicsican, to the PCSDS on May 16, 2022. Said Pangolin was initially found by Mr. Hermer B. Medina, brother of Mr. Robinson, near their home late in the afternoon on May 15, 2022. The aforementioned wildlife species was seen outside their home while the dogs were barking at it.
To protect the wildlife species from being harmed by the dogs, they decided to turn it over to the DENR office, which directed them to turn it over to PCSDS instead.
Following consultation and coordination with Dr. Glenn Rebong of the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center (PWRCC), the two turtles and Pangolin were found to be in good shape and fit for release in the wild. They were released into their natural habitat on May 16, 2022.
The Southeast Asian Box Turtles are listed as โEndangered Species, and the Pangolin is listed as a โCritically Endangered Speciesโ 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 PCSDS Wildlife Enforcement Unit (WEU) hotline numbers 09319642128 (TNT) and 09656620248 (TM) or thru PCSDS Front Desk 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.