DENR-7 warns vs invasive species

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Central Visayas (DENR 7) has warned that releasing non native animals into Philippine habitats poses escalating risks to biodiversity, ecosystems, and local livelihoods.

DENR said that invasive alien species- organisms introduced outside their natural range can reproduce and spread rapidly, often displacing native wildlife and undermining ecological balance.

According to the National Invasive Species Strategy and Action Plan (NISSAP) 2020–2030, invasive alien species are now recognized as one of the major drivers of biodiversity loss in the country.

DENR noted that many were originally introduced for aquaculture, food production, horticulture, reforestation, or recreation, but some have escaped captivity or were deliberately released into the wild.

Today, invasive species have been documented in forests, wetlands, rivers, lakes, coastal areas, agricultural lands, and even protected zones, with many more cases likely unreported.

DENR emphasized that vigilance at the community level is crucial.

Residents are urged not to capture, transport, or release unfamiliar exotic animals found in the wild.

Instead, the public should document sightings with photographs, if safe to do so, and immediately report them to their barangay, which can coordinate with the Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO) and DENR 7.

Early reporting allows specialists to identify the species, assess risks, and implement management measures to safeguard Philippine biodiversity.

The agency highlighted the case of the Chinese softshell turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis), identified under NISSAP as invasive.

Originally introduced through the food trade, the species has since been observed in wetlands and freshwater ecosystems, where experts warn it may compete with native turtles and fish, disrupt ecological processes, and affect aquaculture operations.

The advisory comes after a post from The Freeman of two suspected Chinese softshell turtles found along the shoreline of Barangay Ermita in Cebu City on July 22, 2026.

Both CCENRO and the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries (DVMF) said they had not received any official report of the sighting as of press time.

While the incident stresses how easily non native species can enter local ecosystems, DENR stressed that the broader issue is the growing presence of invasive alien species across the country.

DENR’s warning is consistent with national policy under Republic Act No. 9147, the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, which prohibits the introduction of exotic species without clearance.

It also aligns with earlier DENR statements that invasive alien species are “among the major threats to biodiversity” and require coordinated management across terrestrial and aquatic environments.

Other invasive species documented in the Philippines include the golden apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata), introduced for aquaculture but now a major rice pest; the American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus), which competes with native amphibians; and Finlayson’s squirrel (Callosciurus finlaysonii), recently reported in Metro Manila and nearby provinces, raising concerns about impacts on native bird populations and tree ecosystems.

DENR reiterated that safeguarding Philippine biodiversity requires vigilance and cooperation from communities, stressing that even seemingly harmless releases of exotic species can trigger long lasting ecological consequences. (FREEMAN)