CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — An endangered brown booby (Sula leucogaster) has been rescued and released back into the wild in Dilasag, Aurora, following its first documented sighting in the province.
Ariel Mendoza, chief of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Community Environment and Natural Resources Office in Casiguran, said a resident discovered the brown booby having difficulty flying along the coastline of Barangay Masagana and immediately sought assistance from local authorities.
The bird was subsequently turned over to the DENR for assessment. Wildlife enforcement officers found it to be in good physical condition, with no visible injuries or signs of distress.
“With the help of the municipal authorities of Dilasag, we immediately released it into its natural habitat at Barangay Dicabasan, in accordance with established wildlife rescue, handling, and release protocols,” Mendoza said.
DENR Region 3 executive director Ralph Pablo urged the public to immediately report sightings of wildlife to the DENR or local authorities to ensure proper handling and prevent unnecessary disturbance to wild animals and their habitats.
The brown booby is listed as an endangered wildlife species under DENR Administrative Order No. 2019-09 and is protected under RA 9147 (Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act). DENR-3
