Rescued pangolin returned to Palawan

CEBU PACIFIC flew a rescued pangolin to Palawan province from Muntinlupa City where the scared scaly anteater was found by residents roaming in the village of Ayala Alabang.

Photos released by Cebu Pacific to the Mindanao Examiner/Cebu Examiner show the rescued pangolin and employees of the airliner who assisted in returning the scaly anteater to Palawan province.

Heeding the call to transport the pangolin to Palawan where it is endemic, Cebu Pacific flew the mammal named “Pandi” to the province. Weighing almost 5 kilos, ‘Pandi,’ aptly named because it was discovered during the Covid-19 pandemic, was found to be healthy.

Environmentalist Anna Varona, who was contacted by the residents about the find, said the pangolin may not have been an escaped pet and was likely poached to be eaten or sold, since pangolins rarely survive being away from their original habitat in Palawan.

At the hands of authorities, the male pangolin underwent further medical inspection as its papers were finalized to be able to fly back home.

With time being vitally important, Pandi was flown to Palawan via CEB flight 5J 563 on August 21 – five days after the animal was found.

“We thank everyone who helped in sending Pandi back home. The Cebu Pacific team handled Pandi like a pet and with utmost care. This also shows how Cebu Pacific values wildlife conservation,” said Cebu Pacific Corporate Social Responsibility Specialist Roxanne Gochuico, who coordinated the return of Pandi to Palawan.

Pandi was the second pangolin to be rescued by authorities since 2018 after a pangolin named “Panggoy” was also found in the same village, but the animal died while waiting for its repatriation.

“The environment has always been at the heart of Cebu Pacific. We launched the Juan Effect to promote environmental awareness among our travelers and this act of bringing Pandi home reflects our creed and respect for the environment,” said Cebu Pacific Vice President for Marketing and Customer Experience, Candice Iyog.

Iyog said the airline has always supported wildlife conservation. In 2015, it began supporting the Philippine Eagle Mindanao, and just recently, it has renewed adoption for another year as it trains to be an ambassador. (Cebu Examiner)