ABUCAY, Bataan- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources on Thursday released 20 Brahminy Kite, locally known as “lawin,” some with rain-soaked feathers out into the wilds of the Bataan Natural Park in the foggy mountain village of Bangkal in Abucay.
Students and teachers from the Bataan Peninsula State University (formerly Bataan National Agricultural School), provincial and local officials and DENR people braved the rains and watched enthusiastically as the flock of “lawins” were set free from the bird house.
Of the 20 birds, one was weak with rain-soaked feathers and could not make it despite the treatment given by veterinarians from DENR’s Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB) and the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources.
Some of the birds seemed at first reluctant to leave the big cage despite shooing by DENR people.
Dr. Rafael Ramos, Jr., PAWB’s head veterinarian, explained that the Brahminy Kites came from the Wildlife Center in Quezon City out of birds donated, confiscated or retrieved.
“Lawin” with scientific name haliastur indus is one of the raptors (ibong mandaragit) species common in the Philippines and considered as endangered and protected.
“Considered as scavengers, these birds not only have for their prey chickens but insects, rats and snakes thereby balancing the ecosystem,” the veterinarian said.
He said that the wildlife bureau releases not only birds but other animals to protected areas like the Bataan Natural Park where there is dwindling population of the Brahminy Kites.
Delfin Magpantay, BPSU president, welcomed the choice of the Abucay campus as venue for the release of the birds and expressed the hope that the government school be the site for more endangered species.
Ed Cabigting and Mila Ramirez of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office under Lawyer Ricardo Lazarro, Jr. led in the implementation of the project.
Students and teachers from the Bataan Peninsula State University (formerly Bataan National Agricultural School), provincial and local officials and DENR people braved the rains and watched enthusiastically as the flock of “lawins” were set free from the bird house.
Of the 20 birds, one was weak with rain-soaked feathers and could not make it despite the treatment given by veterinarians from DENR’s Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB) and the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources.
Some of the birds seemed at first reluctant to leave the big cage despite shooing by DENR people.
Dr. Rafael Ramos, Jr., PAWB’s head veterinarian, explained that the Brahminy Kites came from the Wildlife Center in Quezon City out of birds donated, confiscated or retrieved.
“Lawin” with scientific name haliastur indus is one of the raptors (ibong mandaragit) species common in the Philippines and considered as endangered and protected.
“Considered as scavengers, these birds not only have for their prey chickens but insects, rats and snakes thereby balancing the ecosystem,” the veterinarian said.
He said that the wildlife bureau releases not only birds but other animals to protected areas like the Bataan Natural Park where there is dwindling population of the Brahminy Kites.
Delfin Magpantay, BPSU president, welcomed the choice of the Abucay campus as venue for the release of the birds and expressed the hope that the government school be the site for more endangered species.
Ed Cabigting and Mila Ramirez of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office under Lawyer Ricardo Lazarro, Jr. led in the implementation of the project.
