Conservationists Mourn the Death of Another Philippine Eagle

Another Philippine eagle in Compostela, Davao de Oro has sadly passed away from complications from a senseless gun shot wound, according to a report by the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF).

On July 8, 2024, authorities from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (DENR-PENRO Davao de Oro) were alerted of an injured Philippine Eagle. Named "Mangayon," the eagle would be brought to the Philippine Army patrol base in Barangay Mangayon, Compostela. There it was discovered that the eagle had an apparent left-wing injury.

Based on the report by the foundation, PEF would dispatch a rescue team led by Senior Animal Keeper Dominic Tadena and PEF Senior Biologist Rowell Taraya from Davao City to Compostela Valley. The Philippine Army personnel and DENR staff, on the other hand, moved the eagle from the patrol base to the Compostela Municipal Hall.

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The eagle was said to be unresponsive, lethargic, and frail, and was also vomiting during the duration of the trip. A series of physical and medical tests would be conducted. The results would show severe damage and shattered bones. The clinic would try to relieve the pain by operating on the eagle's wing. Today, July 11, Mangayon was officially declared dead.

"We really need to level up our interventions, but we need to do it soon”, said Mr. Dennis Salvador, PEF Executive Director, in a statement. “But we would mostly need LGU and national government actions and investment. The civil society sector can only do so much. We need government political will and action. There should also be additional financing to a systematic and nationwide species survival campaign before it’s too late for our national bird."

Based on available data, nine out of 10 eagle deaths that occurred in the country were caused by guns. This is also the 20th case of eagle rescue since 2020. In most cases, these birds were treated for gunshot wounds.

Philippine law punishes the killing of endangered species with six to ten years of jail time and a fine of P100,000 to P1 million. The Philippine Eagle remains on the list of endangered species in the country. PEF again urgest the public to be more vigilant of the endangered national bird, as well as for more government intervention in dealing with such cases.