ANTIQUE – A distressed Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster), an endangered seabird species, has been rescued by residents of Bugasong town in Antique province.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Belison reported that the seabird was handed over by the Bugasong local government through its Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office on Oct. 27.
The handover was part of a concerted effort to ensure the bird receives the care and rehabilitation it requires.
The bird has found a temporary home at the Pawikan Center in Barangay Funda Dalipe, San Jose de Buenavista. It is under the careful watch of the Provincial Veterinary Office, led by Dr. Marco Ardamil, who is monitoring its recovery.
Ardamil is optimistic that, should the seabird’s health sufficiently improve, it will be reintegrated into its natural habitat.
The Brown Booby is part of the Sulidae family and is noted for its extensive pantropical range, which it shares with other species of boobies. This particular seabird is known for its social nature, often seen commuting and searching for food over coastal waters at low altitudes.
In the Philippines, sightings of the Brown Booby are relatively rare, with the North Islet, or Bird Islet, in Tubbataha Reef being one of the few locations where a significant colony can be observed.
This rescue highlights the ongoing conservation efforts in the Philippines to protect its diverse wildlife, showcasing the critical role local communities play in these efforts. (With a report from DENR CENRO-Belison)/PN
