Environment watchdog confiscates protected mynah birds, civet cat in southern Palawan

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY — The enforcement team of the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff (PCSDS) confiscated Saturday 23 mynah birds and a civet cat in the southern Palawan town of Rizal.

Alex Marcaida of the PCSDS said the confiscation came following tip offs from concerned residents of Sitio Itolos, Barangay Iraan, Rizal in southern Palawan, and a weeklong surveillance.

The suspect, who was caught in the possession of the wildlife haul managed to escape, but Marcaida said they know who he is, and he has been involved in the same illegal activity in the past.

The suspect also reportedly succeeded in escaping with two cages containing an unknown number of talking or hill mynahs.

Marcaida said they will file charges against the suspect, whose name he did not mention, for violating the Philippine Wildlife Act.

The birds and the civet cat (local name musang) have been turned over to the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center (PWRCC) for observation and safekeeping before they are returned to the wilds.