The Maritime police recently received and turned over a Philippine monitor lizard and a rescued sea turtle in Negros Occidental to Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) personnel.
A Philippine monitor lizard locally known as “halo” was voluntarily turned over to the Negros Occidental Maritime Police Station after it was found in a water drainage at Sitio Hunob, Brgy. Buluangan, San Carlos City, on Saturday, Feb. 7.
The lizard was transported to the DENR San Carlos Satellite Office for proper documentation and safekeeping prior to its transfer to a wildlife sanctuary, the police said.
The maritime police, together with Bantay Dagat personnel, also rescued a Philippine sea turtle locally known as a “pawikan” in Brgy. Old Poblacion, Escalante City.
Police said the sea turtle, classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as increasingly vulnerable, showed no signs of injury and was believed to have accidentally landed ashore due to low tide.
Authorities said the sea turtle was voluntarily surrendered by a resident and was immediately turned over to the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office in Escalante City for proper release back into the sea.
The maritime police reminded the public to immediately report and voluntarily surrender wildlife found in communities to ensure their safety and conservation.*
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