Injured palm civet rescued after wandering into Las Piñas store

An injured palm civet, locally known as a musang, was rescued by authorities after it wandered into a store in Las Piñas City, where employees initially mistook it for a stray cat.

According to Kuya Kim’s report on “24 Oras” on Wednesday, stockman James Matinagnos, who uploaded the photo on social media, said his co-workers informed him that a cat had entered the store and was hiding in a corner.

“Sinabi po sa'kin ng mga katrabaho ko na may nakita daw po silang pusa. Nagtago po sa gilid. Sumuksok po,” he shared.

“Pinikturan ko tapos nag-post po ako. Baka may mag-rescue,” he added.

The social media post eventually reached the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), which identified the animal as a palm civet, an indigenous wildlife species in the Philippines.

The musang was safely rescued and brought to the Wildlife Rescue Center of the DENR's Biodiversity Management Bureau in Quezon City for treatment and observation.

“Napansin po 'yung musang ay may pinsala sa mga mata. Hindi nito maimulat ang isang mata. Habang ang isa naman ay namamaga at bahagyang nakausli.” said DENR - NCR Regional Executive Director Nilo Tamora, CESO III.

“Patuloy po natin mino-monitor ang kalagayan at tinitingnan po natin ang sitwasyon,” he said.

Tamora also observed that the palm civet appeared unusually accustomed to human presence and urban surroundings, leading them to suspect that it may have previously been kept in captivity before escaping.

“Kailangan pong patuloy na imbestigasyong gawin kung bakit po napunta po dun sa lugar at kung talaga pong may kumukupkop nito ay kailangan pong ma-establish,” he said.

The DENR added that someone claiming to be the animal's caretaker had already reached out to them.

“Ang nagpakilalang may-ari po ay hindi nagpakita ng Certificate of Wildlife Registration kasi 'yun po unang hahanapin po kaagad namin eh,” Tamora shared.

The agency reminded the public that under Republic Act No. 9147, or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, wildlife species such as palm civets cannot be kept as pets without the necessary permits and documentation.

“Ang kinasanayan po nito ay ‘yung nasa wild,” Tamora said.

“Bagama't ina-allow ang pag-aalaga nito pero may mga kaukulang regulasyon katulad ng mga Certificate of Wildlife Registration na kailangan dokumentado,” he added.

The DENR said the investigation will also determine the possible liability of the person claiming ownership.

"‘Yung nagpakilalang may-ari ay may pananagutan po sa ilalim ng ating batas. Kaya po kailangan din po 'yung patuloy na imbestigasyon dito. Mas maganda po kung malaman din po namin kung saan partikular na kagubatan ito nanggaling para doon din po namin ma-i-release,” Tamora said. —Jade Veronique Yap/CDC, GMA News