
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
A total of 30 dead pangolins were recovered by authorities after they were left by the roadside at the Reclamation Area of Bacolod City, yesterday afternoon.
In a report by Bombo Radyo-Bacolod, witnesses said they initially found a green sack and, after inspecting the contents, they found it contained several dead pangolins.
At first, witnesses decided to leave the sack, but decided to contact authorities after local children started playing with the dead carcasses.
Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Negros Island Region (DENR-NIR) head, Al Orolfo, said they will investigate the find.
It was reported, earlier this year, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Manila intercepted several pangolins, which originated from Bacolod City.
Authorities are now probing if the latest find is connected to the incident in Manila, which resulted in the arrest of two people.
Orolfo added Bacolod City has become a transit point for endangered animals coming from Palawan.
In the Philippines, pangolins, or “scaly anteaters,” are only found in the province of Palawan.
The animal is also considered “endangered” and is protected under RA 9147, or the “Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.”
The recovered Pangolins were brought to DENR’s Biodiversity Management Bureau, wherein a DNA test will be performed to determine if the animals originated from Palawan or Malaysia./WDJ