DENR probes violation of possessing ostriches after viral video

FILE: RUN FOR MANILA BAY REHAB. Senator Cynthia Villar (second from left) explains the projects and programs of various government agencies with a mandate for the comprehensive rehabilitation of Manila Bay in a press conference after the “Takbo Para sa Kalikasan 2” held Sunday (Nov. 10, 2019) at the Bulacan Sports Complex in the City of Malolos. Also in photo are (from left to right) DENR Undersecretary Benny Antiporda, Bulacan Gov. Daniel Fernando, DILG Assistant Secretary for Special Concerns Marjorie N. Jalosjos, PCOO Assistant Secretary Ramon L. Cualoping III and National Youth Commission chairperson Ryan Enriquez. (Photo by Manny Balbin via PNA)

MANILA – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources is looking at violations that may have been committed by the alleged owner of the two ostriches that ran loose inside a subdivision in Quezon City.

DENR Undersecretary Benny Antiporda said they conducted a technical conference on Monday to investigate the matter.

The alleged owner of the ostriches, a certain Jonathan Cruz, attended the conference with his counsel.

Antiporda said according to Cruz, “the ostriches were sold to them by a certain Edwin Jara last October 2019”.

When asked for the documents pertaining to the animals, Cruz said the only documents given to them were the transport permit from Misamis to Nueva Ecija, a payment voucher showing that he bought the two animals for PHP30,000 pesos, an invoice which shows that the ostriches came from a crocodile farm in Misamis, and a veterinary certificate.

Antiporda said according to Cruz, the animals may have gotten tired when they were transported from Misamis, so he decided to place them temporarily in his property inside Mapayapa Village in QC.

Unfortunately, Antiporda said, Cruz was not able to show them a wildlife registration permit –– which is the most important document that they should have –– for them to be able to possess the said animals.

The wildlife registration permit or the certificate of wildlife registration (CWR) legitimizes their ownership of the animal.

One of the two ostriches was already turned over by Cruz to the DENR Biodiversity Management Bureau and Wildlife Rescue Center on Friday.

The other ostrich “died due to stress” according to Cruz.

During the technical conference, Cruz said his helpers cooked the dead ostrich and ate it.

“Basically ang violation nila na nakikita namin is dun sa possession nila nung ibon nung buhay pa (Basically, the violation we see here is the possession of the ostrich when it was still alive);” Antiporda said.

He said pictures of the dead ostrich were presented during the conference.

Aside from the illegal possession of wildlife, Antiporda said they are also looking into the issue of illegal wild trade.

He said they are still studying the case and that another technical conference may be done.

Republic Act 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act of 2001 states that owning and possessing wildlife animals without the necessary permits could be charged with “illegal possession” and may be penalized which includes fines and imprisonment of up to four years.