DENR awards croc to Pontevedra mayor
ROXAS CITY – The Iranian national who claimed ownership to a crocodile recently found in Panay, Capiz failed to show proof of his ownership of the said wildlife, as a result the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) finally awarded it to Pontevedra Mayor Steve Contreras who was temporarily entrusted with it.
Contreras possesses a permit to raise wildlife from the DENR.
To recall, Contreras obtained the crocodile from DENR after Antonio Barrera, a fisherman from Brgy. Jamul-awon, Panay, Capiz, captured the said crocodile at his fishpen last May 27.
Later, Mr. Mahmoud Moein, an Iranian national, surfaced and claimed that he is the owner of the said crocodile, one of the two wildlife which allegedly went missing during the typhoon Frank last June 21, 2008 at his resort in Mianay, Sigma, Capiz.
However, Contreras said earlier, that he would only turn over the crocodile to Moein if he shows evidence that he really owns it.
Earlier, DENR Provincial Chief Dionesio Molina said Moein would be charged in violation of Republic Act 9147, otherwise known as Wild Life Act, if he is found raising crocodiles without necessary permits from the government.
The Iranian national admitted that he was not able to secure permit from DENR to keep the said crocodile since he was busy during that time.