Dapitan City, Philippines – A Yellow-headed water monitor lizard was safely turned over to the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Piñan on February 4, following a swift rescue operation led by local authorities.
The lizard was initially ensnared in a fishing net in a fish pond in Barcelona, Dapitan City. It was discovered and rescued on February 3, 2025, by concerned citizen Jeric Toryon. Acting promptly, Toryon reported the incident to PCPL Antonio B. Bongcawel of the Philippine National Police-Maritime Group (PNP-Maritime Group), who then took custody of the wildlife and ensured its proper turnover to CENRO Piñan for further assessment and care.
Upon examination, CENRO officials determined that the reptile, measuring approximately 65 centimeters in length, was in good health and exhibited no visible injuries. With this positive assessment, authorities deemed the lizard fit for release back into its natural habitat.
On February 5, CENRO Piñan technical personnel, led by CENR Officer Adelaida R. Borja, in coordination with staff from the Protected Area Management Office (PAMO) in Talisay, Dapitan City, and the PNP-Maritime Group of Dapitan City, successfully released the lizard at the Jose Rizal Memorial Protected Landscape (JRMPL) in Talisay, Dapitan City.
The Yellow-headed water monitor lizard is classified as an “Other Threatened Species” under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Administrative Order 2019-09. Meanwhile, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists it under the “Least Concern” category, indicating that while it is not currently endangered, continued conservation efforts remain crucial for its protection.
CENRO Piñan continues to collaborate with stakeholders to safeguard the country’s wildlife and natural resources. Authorities encourage the public to report sightings of distressed or injured wildlife to ensure their proper handling and conservation.
For wildlife-related concerns, residents may reach out to CENRO Piñan or local environmental authorities to support ongoing efforts in environmental protection and biodiversity conservation.