Pangolins, Tarsier, Other Species Rescued In Two Separate Rescues

PANGOLINS – Rescues from Palawan and South Cotabato have recovered live pangolins, spiny anteaters, birds, and a tarsier.

According to Inquirer, 20 pangolins (Scientific name: Manis culionesis) were rescued from a “notorious” wildlife trafficker on Saturday in the town of El Nido in the island province of Palawan.

Meanwhile, in the city of Koronadal in South Cotabato, a villager recovered an adult male tarsier who was in the hands of children in a remote village.

Also known as scaly anteaters and is known as the most-trafficked wildlife in the world, they were about to be picked up in Barangay Pasadeña, El Nido by a certain financier on a boat from Quezon town in souhern Palaman.

This was reported by forest technician and team leader of Community Environment and Natural Resources Office-Quick Response Team (Cenro-QRT) Taytay Voltaire de los Angeles.

The trafficker, identified as Wilter Tenorio, bought the pangolins from trappers and catchers in northern provincial towns, which also includes El Nido, Taytay and Roxas.

“He is really notorious for his illegal deeds in El Nido, using different aliases. During our last operation [in Cadlao] regarding cut trees, he also resisted arrest and escaped,”

Also recovered from Tenorio were transaction receipts and a mobile phone containing text messages among people involved in the trafficking operation.

Spiny anteaters and birds were found and turned over to the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD). Tenorio will be charged for violating Republic Act No. 9147, or the Philippine Wildlife Act.

As per the report, DENR-Soccsksargen executive director Sabdullah C. Abubacar said that the tarsier was recovered from the children by Arnel Alvarez from Brgy. Assumption on January 23.