The illegal trade in wildlife is back and traders are becoming bolder, smarter, and more creative. Authorities, however, are not taking it sitting down. A series of operations have led to arrests and confiscations of wild-caught or illegally sourced birds, the BusinessMirror learned.
Emerson Sy a wildlife trade specialist at TRAFFIC, said the illegal activities, such as hunting and trapping, and selling wild-caught birds online, have resumed over the past year, particularly during the pandemic.
“During the pandemic, there’s an increase [in illegal wildlife trade]. Local trade, mostly. Perhaps some people have nothing to do so they started to trade birds and sell online,” he told the BusinessMirror.
Stern warning
Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu, meanwhile, warned unscrupulous businessmen against engaging in the illegal wildlife trade, saying the Department of Environment and Natural Resources is monitoring their activities, including online buying and selling through social media.
“Mobility restrictions may cause some deterrence to our wildlife enforcers, but these shall not stop them from implementing environmental laws to protect our natural resources,” Cimatu said in a news statement.
Cimatu issued the warning following the arrest of a certain Benjie Saunar for illegal possession and selling of two umbrella cockatoos (Cacatua alba) in a buy-bust operation conducted by the DENR’s Environmental Protection and Enforcement Task Force (EPETF) last April 28, 2021 at a gasoline station in Sta. Mesa, Manila.
The operation led to the recovery of a Palm cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus) from the suspect’s possession.
Online trading
Saunar was monitored by the DENR-EPETF operatives to have been selling illegal wildlife species online.
He was apprehended in an entrapment operation conducted by the DENR EPETF, in coordination with the Manila Police District Station 8 and Manila District Anti-Cybercrime Team, led by Maj. Reynaldo Salim.
Saunar was not able to present any relevant permits such as a Certificate of Wildlife Registration or Wildlife Farm Permit and Local Transport Permit to support and prove that he is authorized by law to possess, transport, and trade wildlife.
Buy-bust
IN Angeles City, Pampanga, the DENR-Region 3 Office (Central Luzon) announced on May 6 the rescue of a juvenile Visayan hornbill (Penelopides panini) from a suspected illegal wildlife trader during a buy-bust operation in Angeles City.
Laudemir Salac, of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) in Pampanga said in a statement that they received information about a certain Mike Chua who was reportedly selling a Visayan hornbill.
A critically endangered species, trading of the Visayan hornbill is illegal under Republic Act 9147 or the Wildlife Act.
Staff Sgt. Angelito Tungul, an investigator at the Angeles City police station, said during the operation, they have arrested the accomplice of Mike Chua, who was identified as Norman Vee Balili, 22, of Barangay Malabanias, Angeles City, for selling wildlife without the necessary permit from the DENR.
Meanwhile, the DENR is now preparing to file criminal charges against the arrested suspects for violating Republic Act 9147, or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act. Illegal trading of critically endangered wildlife carries a maximum penalty of four years imprisonment and a fine of up to P300,000.
Smarter, creative
“Illegal wildlife traders are now becoming smarter and creative by using the Internet to sell wildlife and hide this lucrative business from authorities,” he said.
TRAFFIC, which has been monitoring online illegal wildlife trade, observed that unscrupulous individuals create “private” or “secret groups” to sell wildlife and wildlife derivatives.
It was learned that traders are also more discreet as they are no longer posting or sending photos to prospective buyers, apparently to avoid arrest by poseur-buyers.
Appeal to netizens
“WE are appealing to the public, especially to all netizens to be more vigilant in the social media against online selling of wildlife,” Salac added.
He also urged to the public to report immediately to the DENR any illegal wildlife selling in their area through their official social-media page at @DENRPENROPampanga or hot line no. 0945-368-5303.
The Visayan hornbill is one of the 11 endemic hornbill species in the country and the latest species to be identified as critically endangered due to hunting and loss of habitat. This species is found in the forest area of Panay islands, Negros, Masbate, and Guimaras.