LOCAL RESIDENTS RESCUE JUVENILE PHILIPPINE EAGLE IN BUKIDNON

On February 24, 2024, a juvenile Philippine Eagle named Kalatungan was rescued in the province of Bukidnon with the help of the Forest Guard volunteers of the Bantay sa Yutang Kabilin (BYK) Association in Sitio Balmar, Nabaliwa, Pangantucan in collaboration Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF), Xavier Science Foundation, and the DENR 10 Protected Area Management Office of Mount Kalatungan Range Natural Park (MKRNP).

The eaglet was found trapped in a thicket along Kilauyon ridge above the rivers of Kaayatan nga Dako (Big) and Kaayatan Gamay (Small) in the said locality by a resident named Dodong Watang.

The discovery of the juvenile Philippine Eagle prompted Elpedio Suclatan, Chairman of the local People’s Organization NAMAMAYUK, to coordinate with Xavier Science Foundation, Deputy Director Thieza Verdijo, Philippine Eagle Foundation Director for Operations Dr. Jayson C. Ibañez, PhD and DENR 10 PAMO of MKRNP Protected Area Superintendent (PASU) Ner Doydoy.

The PEF dispatched a team from Davao City led by PEF Senior Animal Keeper Dominic Tadena along with Biologist Andrei Von Mariano Tirona and Dr. Sheen Erica Gadong, PEF Veterinary Consultant to administer first aid care to the juvenile eaglet. During the initial examination, it showed a superficial wound on the left wing indicating a potential injury or trauma. It was also identified and projected that the bird is between 1.5 to 2 years of age, male and weighs 3.45 kilograms.

After the initial examination, the juvenile eaglet was transported to Davao City for its follow-up check-up and X-ray imaging. It was revealed that it sustained wounds coming from airgun pellets, and the absence of entry wounds indicated that it happened a few months back.

Director Ibañez shared that this is the third case of a Philippine Eagle being purposely shot with airguns in the province since the pandemic. The first was Philippine Eagle “Taoyaman Fernando,” a rescued immature bird in 2020 whose X-ray also showed airgun pellets lodged on its right wing, and the second case was Philippine Eagle “Sinabadan,” who was also shot and is now permanently injured.

Director Ibañez added that with these incidents, it is high time to seek assistance and lobby to the concerned authorities to strictly enforce the laws and rules on airgun regulation to help save and conserve the Philippine Eagle.

The Philippine Eagle is endemic to only four major islands in Eastern Luzon, Samar, Leyte, and Mindanao. The largest number of eagle population resides in Mindanao, with between 82 and 233 breeding pairs. It is also known that Protected Areas in Region 10, particularly in Mount Kitanglad Range Natural Park and Mount Kalatungan Range Natural Park in Bukidnon, are the home and nesting site of the Philippine Eagle. #EnvironmentForLife (RSCIG PR No. 03-063-2024)

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