Rescued endangered lizards released

CEBU, Philippines - Following their rescue last week, the 42 endangered sailfin lizards were released by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-7 in a mountain barangay in Cebu City the other day.

DENR-7 regional executive director Isabelo R. Montejo said in a statement that the lizards were released in Barangay Tabunan.

Montejo said the place is the most suitable for those lizards being part of the Cebu City Protected Landscape area.

According to him, they decided to release the lizards the soonest time possible so as not to compromise their health condition.

Sailfin lizards or hydrosaurus pustulatus are identified as vulnerable species because of their declining population due to the destruction of their habitats, heavy collection as domestic pets and food trade.

Montejo clarified that they did not place the lizards in their wildlife rescue center because they want the species to be in their natural habitat as they were fit and healthy for release.

DENR-7 forester Ariel Rica, chief of the Biodiversity and Wildlife Management Section, led the release of the species with colleague Erixon Fernandez.

To recall, the maritime police stationed at Pier 1 in Cebu City turned over the species to the DENR-7 after they were found in an abandoned motorized banca believed to be from Getafe, Bohol at 10 a.m. Wednesday.

In a memorandum sent to the DENR-7, Police Superintendent Salbino Piad of the 701st Maritime Police Station said the wildlife species were abandoned by an unidentified passenger who sensed the presence of the maritime operatives. — /LPM (FREEMAN)