Endangered Brown Booby spotted in Aurora for first time

An endangered Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster) was rescued after it was spotted for the first time in the province of Aurora, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said.

The DENR said a resident found the bird having difficulty flying along the coastline of Barangay Masagana in Dilasag, a coastal town in northern Aurora on the eastern side of the Sierra Madre mountain range.

After authorities determined that the bird was in good condition, it was released back into the wild.

“With the help of the municipal authorities of Dilasag, we immediately released it into its natural habitat in Barangay Dicabasan, in accordance with established wildlife rescue, handling and release protocols,” DENR community head Ariel Mendoza said in a statement.

The DENR advised the public to immediately report wildlife sightings to the agency or local authorities for proper handling.

Under DENR Administrative Order No. 2019-09, the Brown Booby is classified as an endangered species, granting it legal protection under Republic Act No. 9147, or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.

The booby, a large seabird known for its plunge-diving ability, has also been spotted in Masbate and Ilocos Sur in the past.— MCG, GMA News