NEWT

Last August 25, we received a message about a possible barred coral snake that was caught by residents of Ambiong, La Trinidad. According to them, the snake was very feisty so they contained it in a cookie container.

Trooper Eliazar Wayet responded to the concern. Fortunately the snake turned out to be a juvenile shrub snake. It was later released in a remote area.

We would like to thank the residents for not killing the snake and for showing concern to our wildlife.

Phobos, our resident Philippine pit viper feeding.

Photos, just like our other animals are ambassadors for education and wildlife awareness.

NEWT responded to a call from Baguio City Command Center regarding a snake found in Lower Malvar, Trancoville last August 1,2024.

Troopers arrived and was notified that the snake was in a drum. Upon capture and assessment, the snake was identified as a ball python (Python regius). A non-native snake commonly sold in the exotiic pet hobby. Physical evaluation found that the snake was having troubles with shedding, but was overall in good health.

The snake will be monitored and cared for, before being turned over.

Today is World Snake Day.

Snakes are crucial to our environment. They help control the number of pests by feeding on them. Unfortunately, due to urbanization, and habitat loss they are now being encountered more frequently.

Most snakes pose no harm to people. Either being too small to cause damage, or avoid interactions all together. In some cases where encounters do happen, snakes will generally try to leave the presence of people as soon as they are detected.

With sightings being more prevalent, we would advice to leave snakes be. Let them escape, and snake proof our homes to avoid encounters. Is a snake in your room, and unable to get out? Did you see snakes in your area and are concerned? Give as a call, or a message. We can assess the situation and guide you through it. If necessary we will send a team over to check.

Have you seen this little guys?

We have and multiple calls and messages about them. These are all juvenile Shrub snakes (Oxyrhabdium sp.) They are a species of snakes that are non-venomouse and do not grow longer than about 20 inches. They raise their heads and first 1/3 of their bodies when threatened but pose no harm to people.

If you see them inside your homes, be at sa ease and either let them be or move them outside. They will be more afraid of you than you are of them and will never try to bite unless really threatened.

The Philippine Hornbill, rufous hornbill (Buceros hydrocorax) or locally known as the "Kalaw" Is a species of hornbill found all over the country. These birds are know as the clock of the mountains due to their loud calls. Although having a wide distribution, it is. Unfortunate that these birds are consider e threatened due to poaching, hunting, and habitat loss.

The NEWT conducted a workshop on exotic animal handling, restraint and drug Administration last May 22,2024 at Pugad Adventure.

The workshop aimed to give the troopers hands on experience with a variety of animals and to get them familiarized with basic diseases, medication and preventive protocols.

On May 1,2024, Sir Denver Cosileng contacted our page about a snake he had found in Tawang, La Trinidad, Benguet. He placed the snake in a bottle and took it to Camp Bado Dangwa. It was identified as a brown rat snake (Coeglonarhus erythrurus).

Troopers Vanessa Joy Fortes, Cerenio Charly, Krizelyn Despi, and Nicole Nganhyna responded to collect the snake. It is now awaiting assessment prior to release.

On March 16, 2024, the Northern Exotics and Wildlife Troopers held a workshop in Boy Scouts of the Philippines- Benguet Council Office about Wildlife Awareness and Snake Handling and Restraint as part of their Crew Leadership Training Course.

The senior scouts were brave and engaging especially in the part of snake handling and restraint as these skills are crucial and will be helpful to their future endeavors in scouting. We are very thankful to the facilitators of BSP- Benguet Council Office for giving us the opportunity to conserve wildlife through education.

A seminar was held to the students of Pinsao National High School about wildlife awareness. The discussion among students and the troopers were highly interactive as the students peaked their interests on the wildlife found in the Cordilleras. The students were also taught of what to do if there any wildlife encounters.

Special thanks to Sir AK Riva and the faculties and administration of Pinsao National High School for giving us the opportunity to conserve wildlife through education.

Late Night Rescue: A juvenile Philippine Scops Owl (Otus megalotis) was found and turned over to NEWT in Queen of Peace, Baguio City. No lesions were found but there is slight weakness. The owl is under NEWT's care as of the moment for observation.

A huge thanks to the residents for keeping the baby owl safe.

Another Philippine Brown Rat Snake(Coelognathus erythrurus) was rescued on March 10, 2024 in Poliwes, Baguio City. The snake was found in a store initially mistaken as a cobra. Baguio Police Station 8 first arrived in the area and was followed by NEWT for rescue. The officers then accompanied the troopers back and were educated on the differences between rat snakes, Philippine Cobras and King Cobras.

Response of government units plays a huge role in the success of wildlife rescues. A huge thanks to Baguio Police Station 8 for responding quickly in the area and for not harming the snake.

NEWT Troopers with DENR-CAR after the turn over of the king cobra that was rescued at Irisan, Baguio city last March 2,2024

Last week during the veterinary medicine week celebration at Benguet State University-College of Veterinary Medicine, we had an unexpected visit from our Partners: Jazz Ong and Kyle Tamayo of Wildlife Matters and Project Squamata.

Not only did they visit our animal exhibit, but they also handled the king cobra that was rescued from Kennon road.

Check out more of their content at Wildlife Matters and Project Squamata

Another king cobra rescue!

This king cobra was found in a residential area in Irisan, Baguio City. The firemen of the Bureau of Fire Protection responded to the alert. The NEWT was then contacted to identify and retrieve the snake.

During the response, the snakes unfortunately tied up with plastic rope and some rubber coated wire. But this was quickly removed by NEWT troopers and immediately assessed for any visible injuries.

It was then contained and taken to the NEWT headquarters for monitoring before being officially turned over to the DENR.

Thank you to the vigilant residents of Irisan and the quick response of our firemen!

Got a king cobra sighting? You can fill out this form by the King Cobra Initiative to help monitor and track the number of king cobras in the country: tinyurl.com/reportacobra

Yesterday we got a call from the Baguio City 911 hotline to respond to a cobra sighting in Camp 6, Kennon road. The snake was caught by the officers of PNP 3rd maneuver platoon stationed near the Kennon road view deck.

NEWT veterinarian Dr. Sean Serrano arrived to identify the snake and assess its current condition. It was identified as a Philippine King cobra. The snake will undergo full assessment and physical examination before being turned over to the DENR.

Thank you so much to the officers of the Philippine National Police and the rapid reaction of Baguio City 911.

"Ssssssssssnakes in the mountainsssssssssS"

Find out about facts on some common snakes you see in the Cordillera Administrative Region.
This may help you distinguish between venomous and non-venomous snakes as their color, shape or size does not really determine their venom level, but, familiarizing yourself with different species will.

This infographic/ brochure is made by Troopers Alessandra Corpuz and Romeo Francis Arabit

Here's a soft copy po:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1J-WNcrcndQsrmrMaE1M4572AjfvX1S9X/view?usp=drive_link

"Green = Venomous?"

SNAKE LOOK-A-LIKES!
Philippine Green Rat Snake VS Philippine Pit Viper

Let's learn more facts with this infographic made by Trooper Moira Ysabel Rillo

SNAKE LOOK-A-LIKES

Philippine Brown Rat Snake VS Philippine Spitting Cobra

Know some of their differences with the infographic made by Troopers Rahon and Daphne Diane Ramelb

See any familiar flying fluff?
Here are some common to non-common avians seen in the Philippines!

Made by Troopers Kriezelyn Porras Despi , dela Rama, and Cerenio