“Pandi,” Critically Endangered Pangolin Discovered in Muntinlupa City Rescued
The environment authorities have rescued a critically endangered pangolin discovered in a commercial establishment in Muntinlupa city.
In Ayala Alabang, Muntinlupa City, a severely endangered pangolin weighing nearly five kilograms was rescued. According to a source, the pangolin appeared afraid when environmentalist Anna Varona sighted it in the Ayala Alabang barangay hall on Tuesday.
“Nung kinakausap ko siyang ganyan, hello, hello, ‘yun nag uncurl siya tapos tinitignan niya kami,” environmentalist Anna Varona said. “They are very docile, pag natakot ‘yan, they’ll just curl up in a ball.”
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A resident requested assistance, according to barangay officials. They claimed that there was a disturbance and that their dogs were barking as a result of sighting an unusual animal. As a result, they alerted security and the animal was apprehended.
“There was a commotion, dogs are barking and they saw an odd-looking animal. They didn’t know what kind it was. So they called the security and security came over and caught the animal,” security coordinator Antonio Lazo of the barangay.
According to Varona, the pangolin named Pandi is in good health. She stated that it was most likely the largest pagoling that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has ever dealt with (DENR).
“Smooth pa siya tapos wala pa siyang mucus sa ilong, kasi kapag nagkaka mucus sa ilong ibig sabihin noon para bang humihina ‘yung resistansa nila sa surroundings nila. Most likely, kararating lang niya dito sa Maynila, kasi mayroon pang laman ‘yung tiyan niya nung in-x-ray siya,” she explained.
Varona believes the 4.9-kilogram pangolin was smuggled to Manila to be eaten. Each kg of pangolin flesh is said to cost P100,000.
The National Wildlife Rescue and Research Center is caring for the animal, which will be reintroduced to its natural environment in Palawan. The barangay, on the other hand, sought assistance from the National Bureau of Investigation because inhabitants were suspected of cultivating endangered animals.
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