DENR National Capital Region through its South Field Office (SFO), retrieved a juvenile Brahminy kite (Haliastur indus) in Pateros on Wednesday, 3 March 2021.
The presence of the raptor—which was kept in a cage—was reported by a concerned netizen through the social media page of DENR National Capital Region. The message was then relayed to the SFO which immediately dispatched a wildlife retrieval operation team.
Brahminy kites are native to the Philippines but are widely distributed throughout tropical Asia. These birds of prey are easily recognized by their white head and chest and are most commonly seen flying along shorelines, mudflats, mangrove swamps, rivers, and estuaries.
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the bird as "Least Concern" because of its extremely large range. However, it has been observed that its population is decreasing in the wild.
The collection, hunting, or possession of wildlife is prohibited under Republic Act No. 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act of 2001. Those found guilty of illegal possession of wildlife may be fined up to Three Hundred Thousand Pesos (PhP 300,000.00) and imprisoned for up to four (4) years.
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