Business · Philippines Bureau
Philippines seizes nearly 400 illegally trafficked wildlife specimens
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has confiscated 394 animals involved in illegal wildlife trade across the Philippines in the first eight months of 2024. The seizures included rare species such as bearcats, venomous snakes, and hundreds of birds.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA — Philippine environmental authorities have intensified enforcement against illegal wildlife trafficking, confiscating 394 animals and exotic species from January through August this year, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
The DENR's enforcement operations netted 224 birds, 54 amphibians, and 10 mammals nationwide during the eight-month period. Among the seized specimens were venomous snakes and endangered exotic species, including bearcats, also known locally as binturong, which are protected under Philippine wildlife laws.
The seizures reflect ongoing challenges in combating the illicit wildlife trade, a lucrative criminal enterprise that threatens biodiversity across Southeast Asia. The Philippines, as a biodiversity hotspot and transit point for smuggled animals, has made wildlife protection a priority under its environmental protection statutes.
The DENR statement underscores the agency's commitment to enforcing existing regulations against the illegal capture, transport, and sale of protected species. Officials encouraged public cooperation in reporting suspected wildlife trafficking activities to support conservation efforts.