Cebu Pacific Flies Pandi the Pangolin Back to Its Natural Habitat
Rescued in Manila, the critically endangered animal was returned to the wild in Palawan
by JG Summit Team| Sep 17, 2021
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A few minutes before midnight on August 16, 2021, an Ayala Alabang Village resident found a scared and unusual-looking creature roaming in his backyard. After being rescued and provided shelter by barangay officials, the creature was later identified as a rare Philippine pangolin (Manis culionensis). Answering the call to transport the critically endangered animal back to its natural habitat, Cebu Pacific flew Pandi back to Palawan a few days later.
Weighing almost 5 kilograms, the pangolin was given the name Pandi by its rescuers as it was found during the COVID-19 pandemic. While it was still in good health, the pangolin had to be returned immediately to its natural environment as the animal does not cope well in captivity. Extremely vulnerable to stress, most pangolins are known to die within six months of capture.
Environmentalist Anna Varona says that Pandi may not have been an escaped pet, as the animal’s rescuers initially believed. Instead, it was likely poached to be eaten or sold, as pangolins are highly trafficked for their purported, though unproven, medicinal properties.
While in the possession of authorities, the male pangolin underwent further medical inspection as the documentation for its return back to the wild was finalized.
With time being of the essence, Pandi was safely flown to Palawan via CEB flight 5J643 on August 21, 2021. As the airline continues to hold Bayanihan flights to return stranded overseas Filipino workers back home, the repatriation of Pandi reflects both the operational and social service of the airline.
“We thank everyone who helped in sending Pandi back home. The Cebu Pacific team handled Pandi like a pet and with utmost care. This also shows how Cebu Pacific values wildlife conservation,” said Cebu Pacific Corporate Social Responsibility Specialist Roxanne Gochuico, who coordinated the return of Pandi to Palawan.
Pandi was the second pangolin to be rescued in the same village. In 2018, a pangolin nicknamed Panggoy was also discovered in Ayala Alabang but died while waiting for its repatriation.
“The environment has always been at the heart of Cebu Pacific. We launched the Juan Effect to promote environmental awareness among our travelers and this act of bringing Pandi home reflects our creed and respect for the environment,” said Cebu Pacific Vice President for Marketing and Customer Experience Candice Iyog.
The airline has always supported wildlife conservation. In 2015, it officially “adopted” Mindanao, a 19-year-old Philippine eagle and the first to be bred in captivity. In celebration of Philippine Eagle Week in June, CEB renewed its adoption of the majestic eagle for another year, as Mindanao trains for his new role as a conservation education ambassador at the Philippine Eagle Center in Davao.
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