DENR shuts down 55 illegal wildlife traders

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) today reported the apprehension of a total of 55 illegal wildlife traders and confiscation of over 300 wild fauna as part of its enforcement against wildlife poaching, illegal possession, and trafficking, conducting 71 enforcement operations from January to August 2026.

“Protecting our wildlife requires sustained and decisive enforcement,” Environment Secretary Juan Miguel “Mitch” Cuna said. “Through sustained enforcement, strengthened coordination, proper investigation and case preparation, we remain committed to ensuring that violations of our wildlife laws are addressed and that our country’s wildlife resources are protected.”

The agency continues to coordinate with the Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Customs (BOC), local government units, and other concerned agencies in detecting and addressing wildlife trafficking and other illegal activities.

Under Republic Act No. 9147, or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, the collection, hunting, possession, transport, and sale of wildlife without the required permits or authority are prohibited. The law provides penalties for violations, with heavier penalties for offenses involving threatened and critically endangered species.

In a sweeping crackdown on wildlife trafficking from January to August of this year, the DENR seized 394 illegally traded animals and exotic species across the country. The haul included 224 birds, 97 reptiles, 54 amphibians, and 10 mammals, 9 arachnids and insects.

Feathered species made up more than half of the total confiscations, with parrot varieties – such as cockatoos, cockatiels, and macaws – dominating seizures in Visayas and Mindanao. Meanwhile, the Central Luzon and Cagayan Valley regions accounted for the bulk of confiscations of lovebirds, which is common in many households.

Reptiles formed the second-largest group, comprising 79 lizards – primarily iguanas and geckos, 17 snakes (including venomous vipers and pythons) and one caiman. Notable regional busts included Central Visayas intercepting a total of 15 iguanas in separate enforcement activities, while DENR-NCR agents at the airport thwarted separate shipments containing 60 dried geckos and 50 endangered radiated tortoises.

Operations targeting rarer exotic species also yielded results: DENR SOCCSKSARGEN apprehended a trader carrying two bearcats (binturong) and four gibbons, while authorities in CALABARZON intercepted nine tarantulas across five different species.

In 2025, the regions reported the confiscation of 976 heads of wildlife. Among these were 243 snakes,159 lizards, five heads of the Visayan leopard cat or maral, as well as one Philippine palm civet or alamid, two sugar gliders, five species of scorpions, and at least 394 millipedes.

Beyond wildlife confiscations, DENR NAIA personnel seized nearly 7,000 orchids and 255 tropical plants last year. The plants were turned over to the DENR-NCR nursery in Quezon City for care while legal investigations remain ongoing.

Since 2025, the CALABARZON Region recorded 62 apprehendees – 45 in 2025 and 17 in 2026 – while regions across Mindanao reported a combined total of 36.

The Department urged the public to help protect Philippine wildlife by reporting suspected illegal collection, possession, sale, or trafficking of wild animals, including those being offered or traded. Reports may be sent through the social media accounts of the nearest DENR regional office, via email at actioncenter@denr.gov.ph, by calling or messaging 0939-9180169 or 0939-9380876, or through the government’s 8888 Citizens’ Complaint Hotline.

“Wildlife protection is a shared responsibility, but the DENR will continue to strengthen enforcement and work with our law-enforcement partners and the public to protect our wildlife and ensure that our environmental laws are effectively implemented,” Secretary Cuna said.

The DENR will remain steadfast in enforcing the country’s wildlife laws, taking actions against illegal activities and working with law-enforcement partners and the public to stop wildlife poaching and illegal trade, protect biodiversity, and preserve the country’s wildlife resources for future generations. ###