Soldier rescues vulnerable hornbill in Zamboanga del Norte

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur — A soldier rescued a hornbill and turned it over to the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO)-Liloy in Zamboanga del Norte on Monday.

Roserverico Tan, chief of the Regional Strategic Communication and Initiatives Group (RSCIG) of DENR-IX, told the Inquirer that Sgt. Junelo Bongcawel of the Philippine Army’s 97th Infantry Battalion turned over an adult female Writhed Hornbill (Rhabdotorrhinus leucocephalus), also known as the Mindanao Wrinkled Hornbill, after finding it weak in Barangay Batayan, Kalawit, Zamboanga del Norte.

Bongcawel said he discovered the hornbill in a vulnerable condition and provided temporary shelter and care at his residence while seeking assistance.

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Recognizing the species’ conservation importance, he immediately coordinated with local authorities and DENR personnel to ensure the bird’s proper handling and rehabilitation.

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The hornbill was received by CENRO Forester Maribel Acama and other DENR personnel, who immediately conducted an initial assessment and placed the bird under the care of the office’s wildlife holding facility.

Tan said that while the hornbill was found to be in generally good physical condition, it showed signs of domestication and will undergo rehabilitation before possible release into its natural habitat.

The Writhed Hornbill is listed as a vulnerable species under DENR Administrative Order No. 2019-09, which contains the updated national list of threatened Philippine fauna. The species plays a vital role in forest ecosystems as a seed disperser, helping maintain forest regeneration and biodiversity.

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The successful rescue and turnover highlight the importance of public participation in wildlife conservation and the implementation of Republic Act No. 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, Tan stressed.

The action taken by Bongcawel, with the support of local government officials and DENR personnel, reflects a shared commitment to protecting wildlife and conserving biodiversity in the Zamboanga Peninsula.

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DENR IX continues to encourage individuals and organizations to support environmental conservation efforts through participation in local projects, tree planting activities, and spreading awareness about the importance of protecting natural resources, he added. /das

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