Dead pangolin found in snare trap in Palawan forest

A pangolin was found dead in a snare trap deep within the forests of Palawan.

According to Kuya Kim's report in "24 Oras" on Wednesday, the body was discovered by personnel of the 83rd Marine Battalion Reserve while conducting a map reading and land navigation competition inside the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm.

During the activity, the team stumbled upon a makeshift trap, locally known as a patibong, commonly used to catch wildlife.

According to John Vincent Fabello of the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD), the traps were likely intended for animals in the area.

"'Yung mga traps intended for wildlife species. Nag-conduct pa sila ng malawakang pagsusuri dun sa area," he explained. 

Further inspection of the site led to a grim finding—a dead pangolin entangled in one of the snares.

"Nakita sila ng isang patay na pangolin nakapulupot sa leeg 'yung tali nung snare," Fabello added.

The animal, identified as a female weighing around four kilograms, was already mature and capable of reproducing.

"Sayang, marami pa sana itong puwedeng ianak at makakatulong pa sana sa ecosystem ng area," he added.

In total, authorities discovered 16 snare traps in the area, all of which have since been dismantled and placed under the custody of the PCSD.

Fabello believed the traps were set by poachers operating near the forest, likely for illegal wildlife trade. 

"Illegal wildlife trade ang talagang purpose. The most trafficked wildlife mammal in the world is the pangolin. It commands a high price doon sa black market," Fabello said.

The use of such traps has also endangered other wildlife species. Just weeks earlier, a Palawan bearcat with an amputated leg was surrendered to authorities. Fabello said it is believed to be another victim of similar traps.

The PCSD has since launched an investigation to identify those responsible.

"Once proven guilty, mayroon kang criminal liability na pagkakulong ng five years or more and meron ka pang penalty kung siya ay endangered. It's around P500,000 going up," Fabello said. 

The pangolin, whose name comes from the Malay word penggulung or "one who rolls up," is known for curling into a ball as a defense mechanism.

Also called "scaly anteaters," these animals primarily feed on ants and termites. They play a crucial role in regulating insect populations.

There are eight species of pangolins worldwide—four in Africa and four in Asia. Among them is the Philippine pangolin (Manis culionensis), a species endemic to Palawan.

The Philippine pangolin is now classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Fabello urged the public to help protect the species and report any illegal activities involving wildlife.

"Ingatan natin itong mga hayop na ito. Kung marami pa ring nagtatangka na kunin, patayin, i-trade, saktan ang mga hayop na ito, baka po sa lalong madaling panahon ay wala na tayong makikitang Palawan pangolin," he said. —Jade Veronique Yap/MGP, GMA News