By Leilanie G. Adriano (Staff Reporter)
LAOAG CITY—The Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources on Dec.
7, 2020 released the rescued Brahminy kite, formerly known as red-backed sea
eagle and locally known as “lawin,” into the wilds of a thickly forested
mountain of Brgy. Sulbec in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte.
DENR personnel watched as the lawin as was set free from its
cage.
At first, the bird seemed reluctant to leave the cage despite encouragement
from the DENR personnel.
Eugenio R. Santos Jr., in-charge of the office of the chief, technical
services division took custody of the Brahminy Kite after it was turned over to
the DENR office on the afternoon of Dec. 5, 2020.
Mr. Santos said the Brahminy Kite is of the raptors species
common in the Philippines and is considered as endangered and protected.
Initially, the DENR planned to turn over the Brahminy Kite to the
Fort Ilocandia Bird Sanctuary but Mr. Santos said it is better if it they release
to the wild to find his pack.
Considered as scavengers, he said these birds are known as
carnivores as they prey on chickens including insects, rats and snakes.
“We used to see many Brahminy Kites in the region but their
population has dwindled over the years,” said Nora Ibana, senior ecosystems
management specialist, who led the releasing of the juvenile bird at 9:30 a.m.
on Dec. 7, 2020.
With a continuous information and education drive about the
conservation and protection of the Philippine wildlife, Ms. Ibana hopes that
more people will become aware and be inspired to do their share as stewards of
nature.
Teenage boys rescue the young raptor
On Dec. 5, 2020 two
Sarrat teenagers chanced on the injured bird along Padsan River at Brgy. San
Antonio in Sarrat, Ilocos Norte.
While strolling by the river at around 3 p.m. on the said day,
Dyrel Navales and James Lorens Pinuela, both 16 years old and residents of the
said village, saw the stray raptor that appeared to be weak.
“It's our first time to see a bird like that. Because it was not
moving, we managed to get closer and we found out he couldn’t fly because his
right wing was broken,” Mr. Navales said in an interview with The Ilocos Times.
Worried that the bird would die without proper treatment, the
boys informed their friends and posted the bird’s condition on social media,
hoping it would reach concerned government authorities.
After learning about the discovery of the injured raptor, Police
Senior M/Sgt. Noel Abad, who happened to be near the area that time after
leading a tree-planting activity, volunteered to pick up the bird and deliver
it to the DENR office in this city.
Based on their inspection of the raptor’s features, local
authorities established that it was a “young Brahminy kite.”
The DENR reminded the public not to capture any wildlife species
if they are in good condition and let them live in their natural habitat. But
if they are injured, they must be turned over to the nearest DENR office to
ensure their well-being.
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