Philippine Province Opens Wildlife Rescue Center

A new lifeline for injured and illegally captured wildlife just opened in the Philippine province of Antique, where some of the country's rarest animals still cling to survival.

The Antique Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center completed its first phase in Barangay Igbucagay, Hamtic. The facility will provide emergency care, treatment, and rehabilitation for wounded and confiscated animals across all 18 municipalities in the province.

Among the species expected to benefit are Visayan spotted deer, an endangered animal found only on Panay Island. For years, the province lacked proper facilities to care for rescued wildlife before releasing them back into their natural habitats.

Francisco Siasat, senior agriculturist overseeing the center, explained that authorities can now immediately confiscate illegally poached animals and give them proper care. Animals will stay at the center until they fully recover and are ready to return to the wild.

The facility operates through a partnership between the Provincial Environment Office, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and local veterinary services. Veterinarians will provide medical care while wildlife specialists handle rehabilitation.

Governor Paolo Javier emphasized why the center matters for future generations. "Antique is one of the last homes of our endemic species here in Panay Island, so it's important that we have this kind of facility to protect, rescue, and rehabilitate our wildlife," he said.

The Ripple Effect

The center represents more than just medical care for animals. It creates a coordinated response system across an entire province, transforming how communities protect their natural heritage.

Planning is already underway for Phase 2, which will add specialized facilities for warty pigs and other species. Provincial Environment Officer Ma. Vivian Marfil reminded residents that while the government leads these efforts, protecting natural resources is everyone's responsibility.

The center sits within the Evelio B. Javier Upland Development Center, named after a beloved former governor. His legacy of environmental stewardship now includes this concrete step toward saving Panay's rarest creatures.