AC gov’t rescues ‘bayawak’ on the loose

Posted on September 21, 2020 by Admin

ANGELES CITY – The city government, through the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) on September 17 helped rescue a “bayawak”, or a monitor lizard, found wandering on the streets of Barangay Capaya.

Gilbert Tayag of Purok 3 Barangay Capaya became concerned after seeing that the lizard was being harassed by a couple of residents in the area.

Tayag immediately contacted CENRO through their official Facebook page, to help rescue the said animal.

After a successful rescue and retrieval operation, the members of CENRO then turned over the lizard to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region III.

Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin Jr. commended Tayag and members of CENRO for their efforts in rescuing the animal.

He also urged other residents to immediately report similar incidents in order to protect these animals, and return them to their natural habitat.

“Pinapahalagahan po natin lahat ng uri ng buhay – mapa-tao or hayop man. Kaya hinihikayat ko po ang mga kababayan natin na irespeto ang lahat ng uri ng hayop, at ireport ang mga taong nang-aabuso sa mga ito,” Lazatin added.

Meanwhile, according to DENR, the rescued bayawak or marbled water monitor lizard (Varanus Marmoratus) weighs approximately 10 to 15 kilos, and is estimated to be anywhere between 10 to 15 years old.

This species is endemic to the Philippines and can be found in various islands including Northern and Central Luzon, Batanes Islands, Lubang Islands, and Babuyan Islands.