MANILA, Philippines — A Philippine pangolin was rescued in Mendez, Cavite on Thursday, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
The pangolin was found in Barangay Galicia 3 by a resident, who immediately reported the matter to the municipal environment and natural resources office.
The resident said he found the pangolin roaming inside his house on Wednesday.
The wildlife was turned over to the Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB), an attached agency of the DENR, for proper disposition.
Upon assessment, the BMB said the pangolin requires a special diet consisting of natural food items, termites and ants.
The pangolin’s behavior indicated that it has not been domesticated or kept in captivity, the BMB said.
The BMB’s Wildlife Resources Conservation Division arranged for the transport of the wildlife to Palawan, where it is expected to undergo further care and rehabilitation before it is released back to its natural habitat.
Pangolins are endemic to Palawan, and is considered one of the country’s most threatened wildlife species.
DENR Administrative Order 2019-09 or the Updated National List of Threatened Philippine Fauna and their categories classifies Philippine pangolins as endangered.
Environment officials cited the prompt reporting and turnover of wildlife to proper authorities.