
Quezon City, Philippines – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Biodiversity Management Bureau (DENR-BMB) welcomed esteemed guests from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry – Indonesia and from the Indonesian Embassy-Manila for the ceremonial turn-over of the seventy-three (73) confiscated Indonesian birds on 13 October 2023 at the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center. The said confiscated birds include fifty-nine (59) Sulphur-crested cockatoo, eleven (11) Moluccan cockatoo, two (2) Black palm cockatoo and one (1) Black-capped lory.
The joint operation conducted by the Philippine Operations Group on Ivory and Illegal Wildlife Trade (POGI) through a team from the National Bureau of Investigation-Environmental Crime Division (NBI-EnCD) and the Biodiversity Management Bureau resulted to the said confiscation of the endangered birds and apprehension of four (4) violators last 12 March 2018.
Following more than a year of close coordination with the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia-Manila, the CITES Management Authority of Indonesia, and the Directorate for Biodiversity Conservation and securing clearance from the concerned Court, the DENR-BMB was able to repatriate the seventy-three (73) birds back to their origin country of Indonesia.
During the ceremonial turn-over, Assistant Director of BMB Armida P. Andres emphasized in her message that “repatriation of wildlife stands as one of the conservation strategies, especially for species at risk of extinction where every individual counts”. She likewise extended her sincerest gratitude to the Biodiversity Conservation, Ministry of Forestry Indonesia, Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia-Manila, Indonesia Government and Kerry Logistics Philippines, Inc. for making the undertaking possible. Further, Assistant Director Andres hoped that the birds would be released soon back to their natural habitat in Indonesia.
Dr. Indra Exploitasia, DVM, M.Si, Senior Advisor to the Minister of Environment and Forestry Affairs and Acting Director for Biodiversity Conservation Species and Genetic, expressed her gratitude to BMB for organizing the special event. Dr. Exploitasia also highlighted that the occasion showed the global commitment of both the Philippines and Indonesia in achieving the global target of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) on mitigating biodiversity loss. Further, she gave an emphasis in showing to the national and global community that collaboration and commitment can reduce wildlife crimes. Lastly, she hoped that the repatriated wildlife would survive and sustain in their natural habitat.
Mr. Dodo Sudrajat, Deputy Chief of Mission to the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia-Manila, shared that “Indonesian nationals not only cover humans, but also cover all things categorized as God’s creation”. He also highlighted that the occasion served as a strong message to all ASEAN countries, to work seriously and tirelessly in protecting and guiding our rich biodiversity. Further, Mr. Sudrajat extended his appreciation and gratitude to the Wildlife Rescue Center in preserving and protecting wildlife.
Indeed, this repatriation is a testament of a continuous commitment of the Philippine and Indonesian government in countering transboundary wildlife crime, as well as the conservation of our respective biodiversity. Also, this joint endeavor proved that collaborative efforts achieved favorable outcomes in safeguarding and preserving wildlife resources.

Confiscated Endangered Birds on their Way Home
A total of seventy-three (73) confiscated endangered birds were successfully repatriated on 18 October 2023. The activity was led by the DENR-BMB together with the Ministry of Environment and Forestry – Indonesia and Indonesian Embassy-Manila. Following CITES rules and regulations on repatriation, an extensive process was undertaken from consulting relevant authorities to carrying out health checks, completing paperwork, preparing the animals for transport, and photo-documenting the actual repatriation. The extensive process proved to be fruitful as the repatriation of wildlife plays a vital role in decreasing the extinction risk for threatened species and helps restore the ecosystems upon which they depend.







Both Philippines and Indonesian governments look forward to the release of the endangered birds back to their natura\l habitat in Indonesia, where they rightfully belong.