MENDEZ, Cavite — A resident of Barangay Galicia 3 found an endangered Philippine pangolin (Manis culionensis) roaming near their home on Sept. 2, 2026 and alerted the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office rather than capturing or caring for it themselves.
The pangolin was turned over to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office in Cavite on Sept. 3, which coordinated with DENR-CALABARZON to transfer the animal to the DENR Biodiversity Management Bureau.
The bureau’s assessment found the pangolin required a specialized diet of ants and termites, and its behavior in temporary human care indicated it had not been domesticated or previously kept as a pet, according to DENR.
The bureau’s Wildlife Resources Conservation Division coordinated with Cebu Pacific Air to transport the pangolin safely to Palawan, where it will undergo further care and rehabilitation. Authorities said the animal is expected to be returned to its natural habitat once evaluations are complete and the proper disposition is approved by wildlife authorities.
The Philippine pangolin is endemic to Palawan and listed as endangered under DENR Administrative Order No. 2019-09, the Updated National List of Threatened Philippine Fauna and Their Categories.
The DENR reminded the public not to capture, care for or feed wild animals they are unfamiliar with, and instead to report such encounters to the nearest DENR office or municipal environment office so the animals can be properly rescued, assessed and protected.
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