The operatives of the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development’s Wildlife Traffic Monitoring Unit were able to save 14 blue-naped parrots (Tanygnathus lucionensis) hatchlings, 2 Philippine cockatoo (Cacatua haematuropygia) hatchlings, and 2 adult Palawan hill mynah (Gracula religiosa) from the clutches of an illegal wildlife trader in Barangay Montible, Puerto Princesa City last April 28, 2014.
According to the report, the team received a tip from a concerned individual regarding the buying and selling of these endangered birds by a former inmate of the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm known, Eduardo Decin, alias as “Nono” in the said barangay. When they learned that a sale will be conducted on that day, they immediately proceeded to the area mentioned.
However, as the members of the WTMU conducted a surveillance of the area between kilometres 24 and 25, they saw a man arriving on a motorcycle and entered the forested area beside the highway. They followed the man from a distance and as they approached the location where the illegal traders were transacting their business, the team saw the man on the motorcycle with the alleged wildlife trader, “Nono”, counting the birds inside two plastic pails. The men saw them approaching and immediately ran in different directions in the forest. The team ran after them, but due to the waning sunlight and unfamiliar terrain, the team was forced to stop the pursuit and headed back to the office bringing with them the 18 live heads of endangered birds.
The birds were turned-over to the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center for rehabilitation before they can be released back into the wild.