By Edwin Fernandez/Philippine News Agency
COTABATO CITY — To help save endangered wildlife in Soccsksargen, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has partnered with a state university for the establishment of the region’s first-ever wildlife rescue center in Lutayan town, Sultan Kudarat province.
On Thursday, officials of DENR 12 (Soccsksargen) and the Sultan Kudarat State University (SKSU) – Lutayan campus inaugurated the Regional Wildlife Rescue Center (RWRC) in Barangay Blingkong.
“All captured, rescued, confiscated, abandoned, surrendered or donated wildlife will be catered by this rescue center,” Dr. Ali M. Hadjinasser, chief of the DENR-12 conservation and development division (CDD), said in a statement released on Friday.
The establishment of the RWRC complies with Republic Act 9147 (Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act) that ensures the welfare and well-being of wildlife species in the country, Hadjinasser said.
“If they are sick or injured, they will be treated and released eventually to their natural habitat,” he added.
The center, located on a 2,500-square-meter site for wild animals with lots of trees around, is composed of a DENR monitoring, quarantine, and intensive care unit building and cages for crocodiles, pythons, lizards, and rabbits, among others.
Moreover, the center will also serve as an avenue for public education and training ground for wildlife enthusiasts on the handling, care, and management of wildlife in captivity.
The facility is seen to be a good training ground for their students, especially those with biology, agriculture and science subjects, due to its proximity to the school campus.
In a separate statement, SKSU campus director Dr. Juanito Marcelino said he has accepted all responsibilities given to them under a memorandum of agreement (MOA) they signed with DENR -12.
“We are accepting the responsibilities and challenges given us by the government. We will fulfill all of these to sustain the operation of the center,” Marcelino said.
Under the MOA, the SKSU-Lutayan campus will ensure the welfare, safety, and security of wildlife and will provide additional areas to cater to other animals if necessary.
The DENR has direct supervision of the RWRC and will provide the technical and financial assistance for the center’s operation. It will also monitor the status of wildlife and the facilities weekly.
Penalties and imprisonment await anyone caught harming or possessing wildlife, especially those species that are categorized as vulnerable, endangered, and critically endangered.
For the latest updates about this story, visit the Philippine News Agency website.
