After viral ostrich incident, PAWS urges DENR to revoke wildlife permits issued to ‘unfit’ carers

The Philippine Animal Welfare Society is urging the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to revoke the wildlife permits issued to “unfit” carers and enforce stricter screening measures.

The non-profit organization issued the statement after two ostriches were seen running lose then being captured in a private subdivision in Quezon City.

As photos and videos of the incident caused quite a stir on the internet as well, PAWS pointed out that the incident “could have resulted in serious injuries for both the humans who tried to capture them and the animals who were scared.”

PAWS also said the incident “shows how loosely permits are handed out to people who keep wild animals as pets in our country.”

“Loud sounds and being near roads or running vehicles cause ostriches great stress. For this reason alone, permits should not be granted for the keeping of these animals in residential areas,” their statement read.

News of the ostriches running free in a QC village hogged social media for much of Tuesday.

By the afternoon, one ostrich was seen captured by some individuals in the area.

According to the PAWS, “the ostriches in the video were confused and terrified.”

“The birds could have easily been injured or could have caused harm when they were cornered,” the animal welfare group said.

“The ordinary citizens who attempted to capture the animal were probably not aware that ostriches can inflict lacerations with their sharp toenails or break human bones with one powerful kick,” it added.

PAWS also said the fact that the ostriches were running around for as long as they did with no caretaker chasing after them “demonstrates that the owner is not capable of effectively controlling the animals or monitoring them.”

According to the DENR, keeping an ostrich in subdivisions is legal, as long as it is compliant to Republic Act No. 9147 and supported by necessary documents.

In its statement, PAWS called on the DENR to revoke the wildlife permits of those who are clearly unfit to care for wild animals, and to enforce stricter screening measures in granting permits.

The animal welfare organization also said the DENR “should clamp down on wildlife collectors and strictly implement the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.”

“PAWS condemns the keeping of wildlife as pets as it is unethical to allow people to keep them at the cost of these animals' misery,” the statement said.

“Further, a wild animal's needs can never be sufficiently met by its keepers,” it added.

— Margaret Claire Layug/LA, GMA News