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Personnel from Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Environment and Natural Resources (PENRO) together with the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of Piñan released a Yellow-Headed Water Monitor Lizard (Varanus cumingi) at Jose Rizal Memorial Protected Landscape in Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Sur on April 7, 2021.
 
The reptile was the result of a turn-over to CENRO Piñan by Mr. Christian Ian Empeynado, a staff of the Philippine Ports Authority. Accordingly, he found the wildlife roaming around the port area.
 
Upon assessment of the PENRO and CENRO team, the reptile was found to be healthy and in good condition. It has a length of 113cm, width of 11cm and weighs about 3kg.
 
Yellow-Headed Water Monitor Lizard also known as Cuming’s Monitor Lizard is endemic to Mindanao, usually found in mangroves, fishponds, rice fields and other cultivated areas along watercourses.
 
According to DAO 2019 – 09 Yellow-Headed Water Lizard is listed as other threatened species due to the decline of its population mainly because of animal trade and local consumption.