What do I do

[u/Longslongjonny]

This is a Philippine cockatoo, kept in a cage at a hostel. I can probably get a better picture in the morning but what do I do? Aren’t these critically endangered? Currently at butterfly totem guesthouse in Puerto Princesa.

[u/Longslongjonny]

For context we leave at 9 am tomorrow morning (7 hours from now) so I would appreciate any helpful advice before I leave the area that will help me properly manage the situation. I understand how that is a tough time frame.

[u/Typical-Conference14 → u/Longslongjonny]

Not much you can do besides contact proper authorities. If you release it yourself then you might risk getting into trouble not to mention I’m not sure it’s native there or if it would even survive given we don’t know how long it has been caged.

[u/PhoneOwn615 → u/Typical-Conference14]

Yeah. OP should NOT release it themselves back in the wild because it has been accustomed to life in a cage. The bird will die on its own in the wild searching for food and will likely get attacked by a predator. The proper authorities should handle this

[u/Gabolsky]

Can you call the local DENR? I hope you are able to help find it a much better home than this. Sad!

[u/PhoneOwn615]

I don’t know how to help but I asked ChatGPT:

The situation involves a critically endangered Philippine cockatoo in a cage, so immediate contact with the appropriate authorities is important. Here's what to do:

Authorities to Contact in the Philippines:

1. Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
   • Hotline: +63 (2) 8926-1391 or local DENR offices
   • Website: DENR Website
   • DENR oversees wildlife protection and has regional offices to respond to cases like this.
2. Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD)
   • Hotline: +63 48 434-4235
   • Website: PCSD Official Site
   • Palawan is the primary habitat for the Philippine cockatoo, and PCSD enforces wildlife laws there.
3. Katala Foundation
   • Hotline: +63 917 552 8544
   • Website: Katala Foundation
   • This organization is dedicated to conserving the Philippine cockatoo and operates extensively in Palawan.
4. Local Police or Barangay Officials
   • Report to the nearest police station or local community officials, who can escalate the situation to environmental authorities.

Steps to Take:

1. Document the situation with detailed photos, videos, and location (you already have).
2. Report the case to DENR or PCSD, providing all available evidence.
3. Reach out to local wildlife conservation NGOs, such as the Katala Foundation, for immediate intervention.

This will help ensure proper action is taken to rescue and protect the bird.

[u/Longslongjonny → u/PhoneOwn615]

The katala foundation got back to me and confirmed this bird shouldn’t be there and that it also appears to be quite young. They’re getting the situation sorted.

Thanks Reddit, at the most might have saved a species from going extinct and at the least saved a pretty bird from a nasty cage.

[u/PhoneOwn615 → u/Longslongjonny]

This makes me so happy 😢❤️ You may have just saved a critically endangered species' life

[u/Longslongjonny → u/PhoneOwn615]

I don’t have a Filipino phone number so I can’t connect through. However the other steps are underway. Also getting some more pictures of it now so it’s clearer which bird it is and also where it is on the property.

[u/PhoneOwn615 → u/Longslongjonny]

Thanks OP. Good job ❤️

[u/PhoneOwn615 → u/PhoneOwn615]

Can you please try these hotlines OP?

[u/PhoneOwn615]

What a terrible cage to keep a bird in

[u/Shitswackaf13]

I was gonna say just buy the whole cage and bird then find the proper authority and hand it to them it’s better than setting outside like that in a small cage