The volunteers, in coordination with City ENRO and DENR-CENRO Valencia, returned to the site to safely retrieve the eagle and transported it to KJT Veterinary Clinic in Valencia City.-Photo: DENR Northern Mindanao
DAVAO CITY — The DENR-Community Environment and Natural Resources Office of Valencia (DENR-CENRO Valencia), in collaboration with Bantay Lasang volunteers from the Mt. Kalatungan Protected Area Management Office (PAMO) and the City Environment and Natural Resources Office of Valencia (City ENRO), recently rescued a wounded juvenile Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) in Barangay Guinoyuran, Valencia City, Bukidnon.
During a routine patrol in the Bagalbal forest of the Mt. Kalatungan Range Natural Park, the Bantay Lasang volunteers spotted a large bird in distress atop a tree. Suspecting it to be an endangered Philippine Eagle, they captured photographic evidence and sent it to the Philippine Eagle Foundation Inc. (PEFI) in Davao City for verification. PEFI confirmed the bird’s identity as a juvenile Philippine Eagle.
The volunteers, in coordination with City ENRO and DENR-CENRO Valencia, returned to the site to safely retrieve the eagle and transported it to KJT Veterinary Clinic in Valencia City. There, Dr. Cynthia Fregwelj Tabaco attended to its open wing wound under the remote guidance of PEFI Veterinarian Consultant Dr. Bayani Vandenbroeck.
Upon PEFI’s arrival, the eagle was given a recovery diet mixed with sodium chloride solution. The team assessed its physical condition, noting it weighed 3.1 kg, was approximately 6-7 months old, and was beginning to show long-distance flying behavior.
After a thorough examination, the juvenile eagle was transferred to Doc Bayani’s Animal Wellness Center (DBAWC) in Davao City. Further assessment revealed that its wing injury was necrotic and at risk of sepsis. As a result, Dr. Vandenbroeck and Dr. Sheen Gadong decided to amputate the left wing and perform the necessary surgical procedures.
The operation was successful, and the eagle is now recovering in a holding cage at DBAWC. Once rehabilitated, it will be relocated to the quarantine facility at the Philippine Eagle Center in Malagos, Davao City.
Currently, DENR-CENRO Valencia, the Mt. Kalatungan PAMO, and the City ENRO of Valencia City are investigating the circumstances surrounding the eagle’s injuries to determine whether it suffered gunshot wounds or fell from a ravine while learning to fly.
DENR 10 Regional Executive Director (RED) Henry A. Adornado praised the Bantay Lasang volunteers for their swift action in locating and rescuing the eagle, as well as KJT Veterinary Services for their initial medical assistance. He expressed gratitude to PEFI and DBAWC for their ongoing support in conserving the Philippine Eagle in Northern Mindanao, alongside the City ENRO and staff from Mt. Kalatungan PAMO and DENR-CENRO Valencia involved in the rescue.
RED Adornado encouraged communities throughout northern Mindanao to report any sightings of wildlife, particularly the Philippine Eagle, to the nearest DENR 10 field offices.-with a report from DENR
