By E.H. EDEJER | August 31, 2026

IBA, Zambales — Tarantulas, pythons, monkeys, cockatiels, and, yes, crocodiles, too. These are some of the “pets” rescued lately by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) from collectors and sellers in Central Luzon, as it cracked down on the illegal sale of exotic wildlife.

The series of wildlife rescues this August were undertaken on the strength of Republic Act No. 9147, or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, which provides for the conservation and protection of wildlife species and their habitats.

DENR Regional Executive Director Ralph Pablo said that while most of the animals rescued were not considered endangered, they remain protected under R.A. 9147, which also regulates the possession, collection, transport, and handling of wildlife.

Among the wildlife rescued or confiscated were:

• A saltwater crocodile at Barangay San Agustin, Magalang, Pampanga on August 1. The reptile was secured following a tip from a concerned citizen of its existence. This followed the rescue of three other crocodiles from the El Zamba Resort at Sitio Liwliwa, San Felipe, Zambales on July 31.

The DENR turned over the reptiles to local accredited wildlife rescue centers for examination, rehabilitation and long-term care.

• Four exotic cockatiels (𝘕𝘺𝘮𝘱𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘶𝘴 𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘶𝘴) that were seized on August 7 in Iba, Zambales from individuals allegedly engaged in illegal wildlife trade.

The rescued cockatiels were initially placed under DENR custody for health assessment and temporary care prior to their transfer to an accredited wildlife rescue center. The suspects, meanwhile, were charged with violation of RA 9147.

• An 83-centimeter ball python (𝘗𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘯 𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘶𝘴) confiscated on August 12 in an entrapment operation in Hermosa, Bataan.

The suspect, who allegedly used online platforms to facilitate the illegal wildlife transaction, was charged with violation of RA 9147, as well as RA 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

• Four tarantulas: one Chaco golden knee tarantula, one Mexican flame tarantula, one Mexican fireleg tarantula, and one curly hair tarantula were turned over to the DENR’s Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Olongapo City.

These were turned over to the Wildlife in Need (WIN) Rescue Center in the Subic Bay Freeport for examination, proper care, and safekeeping pending their appropriate disposition.

• Three reticulated pythons and turned over to the DENR on August 18 by the Angeles City government.

The reptiles were reportedly captured by barangay officials following reports from residents who found the snakes in separate private residences.

• Three Brahminy kites (𝘏𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘳 𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘶𝘴) were turned over to the DENR on August 27 by government personnel in Baliwag City, Bulacan after they were surrendered by a concerned local citizen.

The three raptors were transported to Biak-na-Bato National Park, where they were released back into their natural habitat.

• A long-tailed macaque (𝘔𝘢𝘤𝘢𝘤𝘢 𝘧𝘢𝘴𝘤𝘪𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘴) and two venomous snakes were released into suitable natural habitats on August 29 after being rescued in Pilar, Bataan.

The monkey was surrendered by a concerned citizen to the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office of Pilar, while the snakes— a Philippine cobra (𝘕𝘢𝘫𝘢 𝘱𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘴) and a king cobra (𝘖𝘱𝘩𝘪𝘰𝘱𝘩𝘢𝘨𝘶𝘴 𝘴𝘢𝘭𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘢)—were surrendered by the Pilar Bureau of Fire Protection office.

Authorities said many sellers, as well as buyers and collectors, are drawn to illegal wildlife trade because of the high prices that exotic pets command.

Tarantulas, for example, may command prices from P5,000 to P20,000 each; a ball python from P2,500 to P28,000; and show-quality cockatiels with specialty mutations from P3,500 to P5,500 each.

The DENR, however, had reminded the public that wildlife trafficking and the unauthorized transport of wildlife species are criminal offenses and urged the public to report suspected wildlife violations to the proper authorities to help protect the country’s biodiversity. – Taktikom News & Features / Photos by DENR