Endangered owl species saved by farmer

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – An endangered species of owl, which was saved by a farmer the other day, was turned over yesterday to environment personnel here through the provincial police office, which initially took custody of it.

Provincial police director Senior Superintendent Segundo Duran Jr. formally turned over the 1.7-foot tall owl to the provincial government’s environment and natural resources office, which will take custody of the rare bird species for sometime before it will be released back to the forest here. 

Forester Francisco Tolentino, environment and natural resources officer, said that the owl, now classified as one of the country’s endangered bird species, will first undergo medical examination to determine its physical condition as well as fitness to bring it back to its original habitat here.  

The owl, nearly four feet in length with both wings fully expanded, was saved by a farmer along the Nueva Vizcaya-Isabela border. According to the farmer, police said, the bird was flying extremely low, rain soaked and appeared very tired when recovered.  

According to the police report, the farmer, identified only as Mando, who saved the owl from possible danger, handed the bird to one Ricalyn Cayaban of the Nueva Vizcaya Electric Cooperative, who, in turn, turned it over to the police in the presence of Mayor Marvic Padilla of this province’s northernmost mountain Diadi town.

In recent years, some endangered bird species, including serpent eagles were recovered and released back to their habitat. This landlocked province, with its still strictly protected mountains and forests, is host to a number of endangered bird species.  – Charlie Lagasca