January 13, 2025
General Santos City — The Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in General Santos City successfully rescued a monitor lizard (Varanus spp.) from a residential area in Soledad Estate, Labos, Brgy. City Heights. Acting on a report from concerned residents, the team retrieved the large reptile, which was discovered on January 11, 2025, wandering the property of Ms. Gemma Capulong.
Concerned for her family’s safety, Ms. Capulong managed to contain the 35-inch-long, 5-kilogram lizard and immediately alerted CENRO for professional assistance. The rescue team safely secured the reptile while adhering to protocols designed to ensure the safety of both wildlife and humans. Initial observations confirmed the monitor lizard was in good health, and plans are underway to release it into a suitable natural habitat after further assessment.
Monitor lizards are protected under Republic Act No. 9147, the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, which strictly prohibits the capture, harm, or trade of wildlife without proper authorization. These reptiles are essential to ecological balance, as they control populations of pests such as rodents and insects.
South Cotabato — In a separate incident, CENRO Banga received three reptiles, including two Reticulated Pythons (Malayopython reticulatus) and a yellow-headed water monitor (Varanus cumingi), from the BINTIKU Multipurpose Cooperative in Brgy. Dajay, Surallah. The handover occurred on January 13, 2025, at the CENRO Banga Office.
Leon R. Palma, a representative of the cooperative, reported that workers discovered the reptiles while cleaning a warehouse. The cooperative immediately captured the animals and transferred them to CENRO Banga for proper handling.
The two Reticulated Pythons, locally known as “sawa,” weighed 8.5 kilograms and measured 3.3 meters in length, while the yellow-headed water monitor, commonly called “bayawak” or “halo,” weighed 2.5 kilograms and measured 1 meter. These reptiles have since been transported to the Regional Wildlife Rescue Center (RWRC) at the Sultan Kudarat State University Campus in Brgy. Blingkong, Lutayan, Sultan Kudarat, for further observation.
The Reticulated Python, the world’s longest snake, and the yellow-headed water monitor, recognized for its distinctive yellow markings, are classified as species of least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). However, their protection remains vital, as both species contribute significantly to maintaining ecological balance.
These recent wildlife rescues underscore the importance of conservation efforts and public cooperation in safeguarding biodiversity. CENRO and related agencies continue to advocate for wildlife preservation while ensuring that these species are protected and returned to their natural habitats.
