QUEZON CITY, (PIA) -- Department of Environment and Natural Resources-National Capital Region, through its West Field Office (WFO), rescued a white-breasted Waterhen (Amaurornis phoenicurus) recently in the city of Manila.

The waterhen was rescued by a Estero Ranger who saw it lying on the easement of Estero De Alix. He then reported the incident to the WFO for retrieval and surrender to the Wildlife Rescue Center at the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center in Quezon City for temporary custody and care.

This is in keeping with Sec. 28 of Republic Act No. 9147 or the “Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act of 2001” which instructs apprehending agencies to "immediately cause the transfer of all wildlife that have been seized or recovered to the nearest Wildlife Rescue Center of the Department in the area."

White-breasted Waterhen is a type of water bird that is widely distributed in all of Southeast Asia. It usually lives near freshwater and places with dense undergrowth. It is very common in mangroves and can be found near small streams and pools where there is dense vegetation.

White-breasted Waterhen is listed as a species of “Least Concern” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) owing to its wide distribution. (DENR-NCR/PIA-NCR)