Asian Small-Clawed Otters In Turtle Islands, Tawi-Tawi
ASIAN SMALL-CLAWED OTTERS – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) recently documented two Asian small-clawed otters in Turtle Islands, Tawi-Tawi.
In the official Facebook post of DENR-Zambnoanga Peninsula, the said otters, also known by locals as “Hanjing Laut” or its binomial name as Aonyx cinereus, they were spotted on several occasions between May 12-22 in the vicinity of Taganak Island, which is among the Turtle Islands in Tawi-Tawi.
This came from a report by TIWS Protected Area Superintendent Minda Bairula, who also said that this was believed to be the first time these otters were recorded present in the marine protected area of Turtle Island Wildlife Sanctuary.
Adzmie Herera, a resident, said that they are usually seen in Pulau Berhala, which is between Sandakan and Taganak. The presence of these species, for him, was the first hed seen in the island.
As per the report, Regional Executive Director Crisanta Marlene P. Rodriguez, the DENR said that they will be consulting with the Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB), and request for technical assistance to understand the otters and how they can be protected.
They will further conduct an information campaign among the residents to urge them not to catch or harm these creatures. They further collaborated with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), as well as the Taganak Municipal PNP and the local government, to protect the creatures.
Here is their video on Facebook:
What do you think? How will you react to this? Let us know more about it in the comments below.
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