BACOLOD City – Two Visayan leopard cats, locally known as “maral,” were rescued in Barangay Matab-ang in Talisay City, Negros Occidental on Monday morning, Jan. 29.
A laborer in Hacienda Gusa was cutting down sugarcane when he discovered the two felines, according to the Talisay City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO).
CDRRMO’s Animal Rescue Unit turned over the Visayan leopard cats to the Talisay City Environment and Natural Resources Office for proper disposition.
The Talisay City government emphasized the provisions of Republic Act 9147, also known as the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, which imposes appropriate penalties on anyone who captures, hunts, kills, sells, or buys Visayan leopard cats.
“Marals” are endemic in Panay and Negros, where they inhabit remnant forest fragments and have already lost around 90 to 95 percent of their natural habitat.
The felines are also known to inhabit the islands of Cebu and Masbate. However, it is believed that they are now locally extinct or close to extinction on the said islands. (Watchmen Daily Journal)/PN
