The DENR National Capital Region through its North Field Office (NFO), retrieved a Green Crested Lizard (Bronchocela cristatella) in Caloocan City on Monday, 17 May 2021.

The Green Crested Lizard is a bright green reptile with a bluish tinge on the head. When threatened or stressed, however, its color changes to brown. The lizard lives on primary and secondary forest, but is sometimes found in urban areas. It is native to Southeast Asia and is found all over the Philippines.

The reptile is included in the Updated National List of Threatened Philippine Fauna and their Categories (DENR Administrative Order No. 2019-08) under the “Other Threatened Species” (OTS) category because while not critically endangered, endangered or vulnerable, “is under threat from adverse factors, such as over collection throughout its range”, “predation” and “destruction of habitat.”

The reptile was immediately taken to Biodiversity Management Bureau’s Wildlife Rescue Center in Quezon City for custody and rehabilitation.

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