𝐑𝐔𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐒 𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐍𝐁𝐈𝐋𝐋, 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐂𝐔𝐄𝐃 𝐈𝐍 𝐋𝐀𝐊𝐄 𝐒𝐄𝐁𝐔, 𝐒𝐎𝐔𝐓𝐇 𝐂𝐎𝐓𝐀𝐁𝐀𝐓𝐎

A Rufous Hornbill (Buceros hydrocorax) was rescued by the DENR Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Banga on Wednesday, April 12.

CENR Officer Larry P. Curias personally received the said aves from Ecosystem Management Specialist 1 Danny Dubla of MENRO Lake Sebu which was rescued by a concerned citizen on April 11 at Brgy. Ned, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato.

It was noticed that the upper beak of the said hornbill was broken, and it had difficulty eating. On the same day, CENRO Curias forwarded the hornbill to the DENR RXII-Conservation and Development Division (CDD) for further examination and recuperation.

CENRO Curias reminded the public that hornbills like any other wildlife are protected by Republic Act 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Protection and Conservation Act of 2021.

“These hornbills are considered to be a threatened species and reasons for its decline include habitat destruction, hunting and poaching for the illegal pet trade. If you know something or someone harboring them without a permit, contact the nearest DENR field office”, he said.

The Rufous Hornbill locally known as “kalaw” is a large species of hornbill endemic to the Philippines (the largest hornbill in the country). Killing, injuring, collecting, selling and transporting these wildlife species without a permit is punishable according to RA 9147. (With report and photo from Alnayah Mohammad Ayman of CENRO Banga) | RSCIGP