Rare endemic lizard rescued in Samboan, Cebu

By: Morexette Marie B. Erram - 2 years ago

LOOK: Eco-tourism guides in Samboan, Cebu returned to its natural habitat on Sunday, September 11, a Philippine Sailfin Lizard which they rescued earlier. 📸: Aguinid Waterfalls Samboan_CebuPh FB

CEBU CITY, Philippines – Eco-tourism guides in Samboan town in southwestern Cebu released on Sunday, September 11, a rare lizard, endemic to the Philippines, back to the wild after it was trapped in a garden.

The Tangbo Eco-Tourism Guides Association (TETWA) reported rescuing a Philippine Sailfin Lizard in a fenced garden in Purok Kamote, Barangay Tangbo, a post from Aguinid Falls Samboan_CebuPh said.

“(The creature) was probably eating fresh leaves,” the post added.

Tetwa President Francisco Tancio Jr. and the rescuer, Gwyne Lisondra, personally carried the reptile back to its natural habitat.

The Philippine Sailfin Lizard, locally known as ibid, is a semi-aquatic species, that commonly thrives near bodies of water, an entry from the National Geographic reads.

It is listed as “vulnerable” in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), citing habitat loss as a primary threat.

“In addition, animals (especially hatchlings) are heavily collected for both the pet trade (national and possibly international) and local consumption,” the same National Geographic article said.

“In some parts of its range it is additionally threatened by water pollution resulting from the use of agrochemicals and increased sedimentation,” it added.

The Philippine Sailfin Lizard is commonly found in the islands of Guimaras and Romblon, but rarer on Negros and Cebu.

CIDG-7 warns those involved in illegal trade of endangered species: ‘We will come after you’

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