DENR-7, Cebu City Hold Inventory on Wildlife in Cebu Zoo

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7 and the Cebu City Government agreed to conduct a joint inventory on all existing wildlife within Cebu Zoo on Monday, September 26.

According to DENR-7 OIC Chief Planning Officer and Regional Public Affairs Officer (RPAO) Chief Dr. Eddie Llamedo, this developed after a technical conference was conducted at the  Community Environment and Natural Resources (CENR) office in Cebu City to address issues raised regarding the management and administration of the facility.

CENR Officer for Cebu City Raul Pasoc presided the meeting with DENR-7 Enforcement Division Chief Ariel Rica, DENR 7 Licenses, Patent and Deeds Division Chief Clea Arceño and Cebu City representatives headed by Nida Cabrera.

During the meeting, Rica emphasized that the Cebu Zoo operation is legal and compliant with necessary permits as provided for by law but raised the issue on the proper handling of the animals and clarification on the number of deaths of wildlife as reflected in the recently conducted inventory by DENR.

“Our recent inventory showed different results compared to our last record on July 4, 2016. We also made a comparison with the existing data by the Cebu City government and again showed different results. So to ensure we have a reliable data at hand, it was agreed to conduct a joint inventory, as soon as possible,” explained Rica.

DENR-7 OIC Regional Director Emma Melana in a statement stressed the importance of proper documentation as evidence to avoid liabilities on the care and custody of the animals.

“Both the DENR and the Cebu City care for the wellness of our wildlife within the Cebu Zoo. We will do our best to make sure we provide the needed assistance on this ongoing matter,” added Melana.

On the other hand, if the land swapping deal between the Cebu province and Cebu City government will materialize, Cebu City committed to come up and submit a preparatory plan of dispersing the animals to be reviewed by the DENR.

“As of this time, we are closely coordinating with the Department of Agriculture for the distribution of all domesticated animals within the zoo. However, we will be preparing plans for other critical wildlife but certainly all will be turned over to the DENR for the issuance of Certificate of Wildlife Loan Agreement,” said Cebu City Chief Veterinary Office Alice Utlang.

Pasoc also emphasized the need to make sure good and proper care of the animals and asked the Cebu City to hire experts to ensure the health and wellness of the animals.

DENR 7 also committed to conduct further training and seminar to all Cebu zoo keepers on wildlife care and proper recording.

“We also urged the Cebu Zoo management to submit a regular quarterly report to DENR to avoid experiencing the same problem in the future,” said Pasoc.

To recall, DENR 7 formed a technical working group to conduct investigation on the issue. (rmn/jsme/PIA7-Cebu/DENR-7)