LA UNION - Students in San Fernando City found a Philippine Scops Owl, a bird found only in the country, in their school while they were having lunch last week.

The owl was weak and already surrounded by ants when the students spotted it, according to Daniel Vanderlipe, Grade 8 student of San Fernando South Central School.

"Tinabi nalang muna naming yung meryenda namin tapos kumuha ako ng panyo tas hinuli namin tas natuka nga po ako dito (referring to right arm)," added another student Edmel Tadifa.

The students immediately reported what they saw to the school principal who referred the owl to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources office in the city.

The Philippine Scops Owl is now under the custody of City Environment Office of San Fernando, La Union. It is temporarily sheltered in San Fernando Botanical Garden.

The Environmental Management Specialist Jay-ar Raquedan said, the Philippine Scolps Owl is endemic in the Philippines.

"Kung may nakita naman at masigla naman ang ibon, huwag na nating i-attempt na kunin, hayaan nalang natin na lumipad at umalis pero kung nakita nating may injury siya, kung kaya nating kunin, kunin natin pero i-contact pa rin ang City Environment Office," Raquedan added.