Endangered Cockatoos Rescued After 2 Wildlife Traffickers Tries Selling Them Online
WILDLIFE TRAFFICKERS – Two (2) suspects selling endangered cockatoos online were arrested in an ongoing wildlife enforcement operation.
Two wildlife dealers in Bulacan who illegally sell umbrella cockatoos online were arrested last week as part of an ongoing wildlife compliance operation by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
The arrest of the two suspects is part of the DENR’s pledge to preserve “unique terrestrial and marine areas symbolic of the Philippine natural and cultural heritage for present and future generations,” even in the midst of a pandemic, according to DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu.
Illegal wildlife traffickers have not been afraid to sell since the pandemic, according to Cimatu. It has, however, ensured that the DENR can remain cautious in its efforts to conserve biodiversity.
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On May 2, the DENR Environmental Protection and Enforcement Task Force (EPETF) arrested Rendel Santos, 21, and Alvin Santos, 48, in Barangay Pagala, Baliuag, Bulacan, for illegal possession and selling of two Umbrella cockatoos (Cacatua alba).
The suspects were not given a permit to fly with cockatoos, according to the DENR-Community Environment and Natural Resources Office in Baliuag, Bulacan. The suspects will face criminal charges for allegedly violating Republic Act (RA) 9147, also known as the Wildlife Resources Protection and Conservation Act of 2001.
Umbrella cockatoos are listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which means they are not endangered but may become so if sales are not limited to protect the breed.
“Collection of endangered wildlife, including by-products and derivatives, shall be permitted only for science, breeding, or propagation purposes, and provided that only licensed persons, businesses, academic, educational, or scientific institutions shall be allowed to collect for conservation breeding or propagation purposes,” according to Section 23 of RA 9147.
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