Endangered animals stolen from Rizal zoo

MANILA, Philippines — Several endangered animals were stolen from the conservation breeding program of Avilon Zoo in Rodriguez, Rizal.

In a post on its Facebook page yesterday morning, the management of Avilon Zoo said thieves broke into its compound and stole some animals that include three red-footed tortoises (Chelonoidis carbonaria), one yellow-footed tortoise (Chelonoidis denticulatus), one mature common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina), three black palm cockatoos (Probosciger aterrimus) and one juvenile brown tufted capuchin monkey (Sapajus apella).

“All are endangered animals which are part of Avilon Zoo Wild Care Conservation Breeding Program,” said zoo management. “Please help Avilon Zoo find these stolen animals.”

The zoo management posted a collection of images of the stolen animals on its Facebook account, now widely shared among Filipino netizens, hoping this would help in recovering the endangered species.

It said the stolen animals were all part of their Wildlife. Conservation. Action. Research. Education (Wild. C.A.R.E.) program – a “zoo-based protocol designed to develop and implement conservation-oriented wildlife research projects and education programs” for the Avilon Wildlife Conservation Foundation.

On its website, it said the zoo is taking care of over 600 species of wildlife, which include flagship species such as the Butaan (Varanus olivaceus), Luzon rufous hornbill (Buceros hydrocorax), South Luzon giant cloud rat (Phloeomys cumingi) and the North Luzon giant cloud rat (Phloeomys pallidus).

The Avilon Zoo said that individuals who might have information about the stolen animals may call (02) 213-1062.  – With Christian Imperio