₱1.38M Illegal Bird Smuggling Busted at Toril Checkpoint

DAVAO CITY (October 26) — Local law enforcement and environmental guardians just dealt a major blow to illegal wildlife traffickers right in our own backyard.

On October 19, alert officers from Police Station 19-Eden stopped a suspicious van at a checkpoint in Purok 2,Sitio Uguis, Barangay Eden, Toril. Inside, authorities discovered 31 exotic, protected birds worth an estimated ₱1.38 million being transported without any legal permits or registration.

What Was Rescued?

With technical support from DENR-CENRO Davao City, officers intercepted:

• 15 Sulfur-Crested Cockatoos (Valued at ₱900,000) — Sadly, one cockatoo did not survive the transit.
• 16 Eclectus Parrots (Valued at ₱480,000) — Including eight vibrant green males and eight bright red females.

Both species are internationally protected under CITES Appendix II, which strictly regulates the trade of vulnerable wildlife to prevent their extinction.

Safe Harbor at Davao Crocodile Park

The 30 surviving birds were immediately transferred to the Davao Crocodile Park in Ma-a for expert medical evaluation, care, and shelter. Meanwhile, the transport van was impounded by CENRO, and legal documentation was secured for the deceased bird.

The handlers now face severe criminal charges under Republic Act 9147 (Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act) for illegal collection, possession, transport, trade, and animal maltreatment.

               CRACKDOWN BY THE NUMBERS (2026)

  [ 55 Suspects Apprehended ]   ———>   [ 71 Nationwide Operations ]

  [ 394 Animals Confiscated ]   ———>   [ Over 50% Are Exotic Birds ]

A Broader Regional Strike

This Davao interception was immediately followed by another major bust on October 20 in General Santos City, where joint forces seized 60 undocumented wild birds—including 33 Eclectus parrots, two cockatoos,and 25 Western crowned pigeons.

These operations reflect an intensified nationwide campaign against illegal animal trafficking, which has already rescued hundreds of exotic pets across Visayas and Mindanao this year.

How You Can Protect Local Wildlife

Wildlife trafficking severely disrupts our natural ecosystems and exposes local bird populations to dangerous diseases like Avian Flu.

If you suspect illegal wildlife trading, online sales, or unauthorized keeping of exotic species:

1.  Report via Hotline: Call the 8888 Citizens’ Complaint Hotline.

2.  Contact DENR: Send a direct message to the official DENR Region XI social media pages or contact CENRO Davao City.

3.  Say No to Illegal Pets: Never buy wild-caught birds or exotic animals without official CITES permits and DENR registration certificates.