Rescued sea eagle gets second chance at Philippine Eagle Center

MAWAB, Davao de Oro (September 15) — A juvenile White-bellied Sea Eagle rescued in Basilan is getting a second chance at life after being brought to the Philippine Eagle Center (PEC) in Davao City for specialized care and rehabilitation.

The young raptor, identified as a White-bellied Sea Eagle (Icthyophaga leucogaster), was safely transported to the PEC on September 10, 2026, following coordination among the 1101st Infantry (Gagandilan) Brigade, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)–Isabela City, and the 10th Infantry (Agila) Division of the Philippine Army.

The transfer was facilitated by Major General Alvin Luzon, commander of the 10th Infantry Division and a former brigade commander in Basilan, after military authorities were asked to assist in bringing the rescued bird to a facility capable of providing wildlife rehabilitation.

At the PEC, the juvenile eagle will undergo professional assessment and rehabilitation as specialists determine its condition and prospects for eventual release back into the wild.

The rescue highlights the importance of quickly turning over distressed wildlife to facilities equipped to handle their recovery, particularly for young raptors that may not yet be capable of surviving independently.

For the rescued sea eagle, the journey from Basilan to Davao marks more than a change of location—it is a chance to recover, regain its strength and, if rehabilitation succeeds, return to the skies.