CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines – A Philippine sail fin lizard brought to a local television station here is recuperating at the rescue center of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 10.
It is the third sail fin lizard to be brought to the DENR rescue center this year, according to Protected Areas and Wildlife Division staff member Edenson Cañete.
He said the sail fin lizard would be taken care of at the rescue center before it is released back to the wild.
Canete said sail fin lizards are usually found along riverbanks in Northern Mindanao, particularly in Jasaan town in Misamis Oriental.
Republic Act 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act prohibits the catching and killing of sail fin lizard, a threatened species.
Canete said the sail fin lizards that were previously brought to them measured two to three feet long. The species can grow to over three feet.
He warned the public not to eat this species, saying it may cause various diseases.