Baby owl rescued from Taal’s wrath

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has received the baby owl rescued by elements of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) in Batangas province.

Undersecretary Benny Antiporda represented the DENR during the turnover of the baby Luzon scops owl on Jan. 30 by Corporal Joshua Macabeo of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion of the NCRPO at the Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) Wildlife Rescue Center, Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center in Quezon City. 

The Luzon scops owl (Otus longicornis), endemic to Luzon island, was rescued in Tanauan-Talisay Road, Batangas City the other week. 

“For the meantime, the owl will be taken care of here at the BMB’s wildlife center. We will wait for it to regain its strength and then after that, the plan is to release it in the wild, in its natural habitat, preferably where it was found in Batangas,” Antiporda said.

However, the official added, if the area still has too much ashfall, there might be need to look for another appropriate place where it will be safe to release the baby owl.

Antiporda reiterated his call to the public to turn over to the DENR other wildlife species rescued following the Taal Volcano eruption. 

The NCRPO Public Information Office said its Regional Mobile Force Battalion rescued the baby owl as they were conducting patrol monitoring in the area.

Metro Manila police officers provided immediate first aid to the owl, which was allegedly on the brink of death.

NCRPO’s rescue team named the bird “Tala,” representing all animals affected by the Taal Volcano eruption.