One Southeast Asian Box Turtle (๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ณ๐ข ๐ข๐ฎ๐ฃ๐ฐ๐ช๐ฏ๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ด๐ช๐ด) and one Rat Snake (๐๐ฐ๐ฆ๐ญ๐ฐ๐จ๐ฏ๐ข๐ต๐ฉ๐ถ๐ด ๐ฑ๐ฉ๐ช๐ญ๐ช๐ฑ๐ฑ๐ช๐ฏ๐ถ๐ด) were both turned over to the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff (PCSDS) on April 2, 2021 by Mr. Michael Gastillo of Barangay Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa City and Mr. Bilezardo Devis of Barangay San Jose, Puerto Princesa City, respectively.
Mr. Gastillo narrated that as he passed by his house on April 2, 2021, he found the Southeast Asian Box Turtle moving on the ground covered with grasses, a few steps away from his house. Knowing the need to conserve and protect the turtle, he immediately went to the PCSDS office and turned it over to the PCSDS guardhouse. On the same day, Mr. Devis contacted the PCSDS Wildlife Enforcement group as soon as he caught the 135-cm long Rat Snake, which entered his neighborโs house. He put the Rat Snake inside a pail as he reported the incident to the PCSDS Wildlife Enforcement Group, who came in no time and rescued the said snake.
The Southeast Asian Box Turtle and Rat Snake were brought to the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center (PWRCC) for their rehabilitation on April 5, 2021.
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 for your concerns.