A spotted wood owl that was rescued from an entangled kite on top of a coconut tree in Barangay San Jose was turned over Thursday to the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff (PCSDS).
The distressed bird was reportedly saved from the coconut tree by Lomboy Road resident Rico dela Cruz Aretanio.
Pastor Dennis Casaldon of the Lifeway Community Fellowship told Palawan News that Aretanio, one of his church members, brought the spotted wood owl to him.
“Early morning siya [ng Tuesday] napansin, [then] ‘yon din ‘yong time na kinuha siya, inakyat [siya sa puno ng niyog para ma-rescue]. Noong makuha siya ‘yong pakpak niya medyo lupaypay tapos nanghihina. Siguro nag-struggle siya ng husto [para maka-alis]. Usually naririnig nila ito lagi [na humuhuni]. Sabi nila dalawa ito [na kuwago sa aming area]. Noong nakuha niya ‘yan dito sa puno, pumunta siya kaagad sa akin kung ano daw ang gagawin,” Casaldon said.
Casaldon said he knew that the bird is an endangered species, and advised Aretanio to surrender it to environmental authorities.
He added they first attempted to restore the strength of the bird by giving it food, but it did not respond when they fed it.
Casaldon said his family, along with the Aretanios, brought the bird to the PCSDS only in the morning of Thursday because Wednesday, May 1, was a holiday.
“Nag-worry ‘yan sila kasi hindi siya nagte-take ng food. Hinatid ko doon sa PCSDS mga nine o’clock in the morning. Nagulat ako parang hindi pa sila naka-kita, pinagkaguluhan nila. Noong pumunta kami doon at nakita nila ‘yong Wood Owl, nagkagulo ‘yong mga staff din doon, nagpa-picture-picture sila. Thankful kami na at least may place na ganiyan [sa PCSDS] malapit dito sa amin na pupuwede siyang i-surrender para ma-alagaan nila,” he said.
Jovic Fabello, PCSD spokesperson said, they turned over the bird to the Palawan Wildlife Rescue Center (PWRCC) so it can be properly taken care of.
“Automatic ‘yan kasi wala [pa] kaming facility sa office so after na ma-comply ‘yong mga papers, requirements, dinadala kaagad namin ‘yan sa PWRCC for proper care. Ma-a-address naman kaagad [ang kaniyang injury] pagdating doon sa PWRC. Baseds on evaluation ng vet doon sa PWRCC and then magkakaroon pa ‘yan ng kaunting rehabilitation para magkaroon siya ng sapat na panahon para mabawi ang lakas niya, then upon go signal ng vet na puwede na siyang i-release, ibabalik na siya sa wild,” he said.
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