The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Mandaue City Field Unit, together with representatives from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7 and the Medellin Municipal Police Station, successfully seized exotic wildlife illegally kept in a resort located in Sitio Tambo, Barangay Kawit, Medellin town at 9:23 a.m. on June 3, 2026.
Violation of Wildlife Act
The resort violated the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act of 2001 by keeping exotic animals without government authorization. The CIDG and DENR 7 took custody of the female resort manager.
Rescued Animals
The rescued animals include two Blue-Naped Parrots, one Brahminy Kite, one Black Palm Cockatoo, one Macaw bird, one Green-Winged Macaw, one Blue-and-Gold Macaw, four African Spurred Tortoises, one African Grey Parrot, and three Eclectus Parrots. The seized wildlife is estimated to be worth around P3.5 million.
Operation Details
Police received a report that a resort in Medellin was keeping wildlife species without permits. They validated the report with DENR 7 and found birds and tortoises in cages used as attractions for customers inside the resort compound. CIDG personnel and DENR representatives conducted an inspection and asked the management for documents such as a certificate of wildlife registration or authorization from DENR allowing them to keep, transport, and exhibit the exotic animals.
The resort manager failed to present legal documents. The inspection also revealed that the animals were protected wildlife species that cannot be kept or displayed by anyone without DENR permission, in violation of Republic Act 9147, known as the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act of 2001.
Custody and Charges
As a result, the animals were confiscated in favor of the government and are currently in the custody of DENR 7, while the manager is in the custody of the CIDG-Mandaue City Field Unit. The operation is part of Oplan Kalikasan, the flagship program of the CIDG.
