A Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus) locally known as “Lawin” and a Philippine Serpent Eagle (Spilornis holohpilus) were turnedover to the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) of Sorsogon on March 16 and 18, 2021, respectively.

The Brahminy Kite was seen perching on a tree at Barangay Pamurayan, Sorsogon City by Mr. Viron F. Lajada, Barangay Councilor of the said barangay. He immediately reported the sighting to the PENRO.  

Upon inspection of the PENRO personnel, the raptor was found to have a ring band on its left talon with tag number PH05-026, which indicated the completion of its past rehabilitation and was identified to be one (1) of the ten (10) Brahminy Kites released during the celebration of the World Wildlife Day on March 3, 2021 at the Energy Development Corporation (EDC)-Bacman Geothermal Project at Sitio Palayan Bayan, Barangay Nagotnot, Manito, Albay.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Serpent Eagle was initially turnedover by Mr. Agusto Dematera, a resident of Barangay Cogon, Sitio Talinga, Juban, Sorsogon to the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) of Juban Sorsogon headed by Allan H. Guarin who then informed the PENRO.

Upon inspection, the said serpent eagle had a swollen right eye probably caused by a sling shot. It was consequently transported to the Provincial Veterinary Office of Sorsogon for immediate medical treatment. 

The two (2) wildlife species were then transported to the Irosin Temporary Wildlife Rescue Center (ITWRC) at Barangay Patag, Irosin, Sorsogon for proper treatment and care before it can be released to the wild.

Under DENR Administrative Order (DAO) No. 2019-09 titled, “Updated National List of Threatened Philippine Fauna and their Categories”, the Brahminy Kite and Philippine Serpent Eagle are listed under its Other Wildlife Species (OWS), which needed to be protected. Likewise, all wildlife in the Philippines are protected under Republic Act No. 9147, otherwise known as the "Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act".

The DENR V is continuously appealing to the public to report such incidents and turnover any wildlife to proper authorities for proper handling and release to its natural habitat. Continuous information, education and communication (IEC) campaigns are being conducted by the DENR, which have caused increasing numbers of public turn overs to the office. (With report from PENRO Sorsogon)