An endangered brown booby has been rescued along the coast of Cabangan, Zambales, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
DENR in a post on Facebook said the seabird was initially secured by the town’s Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office before being turned over to DENR personnel.
The bird was then transferred to the Wildlife in Action Rescue Center inside the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, where veterinarians assessed its condition and provided treatment to stabilize it.
Authorities said the seabird will undergo rehabilitation, with the possibility of being released back into its natural habitat once it has recovered.
The Brown Booby is classified as an endangered species under the DENR’s list of threatened Philippine wildlife and is protected under the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.
“The DENR reminds the public to report stranded, injured, or distressed wildlife immediately to their local environment offices for proper assessment and handling. The public is also advised against handling wild animals without guidance from trained personnel to prevent further injury and ensure public safety,” the agency said.