Philippine Eagle chick no. 30 passes away at breeding sanctuary

Davao City – The Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) has announced the heartbreaking loss of Chick No. 30, a 17-day-old male Philippine eagle, on November 29, 2024. The chick, housed at the National Bird Breeding Sanctuary (NBBS), succumbed to complications despite intensive care and monitoring, underscoring the fragility of critically endangered species.

Chick No. 30 was the offspring of Sinag and Pin-pin, two Philippine eagles under PEF’s conservation program. The chick initially exhibited normal feeding and behavior patterns, but on November 26, signs of respiratory distress, including labored breathing and sneezing, were observed. Immediate medical interventions, such as oxygen therapy and fluid suctioning, stabilized his condition temporarily. However, his health deteriorated, and resuscitation efforts were ultimately unsuccessful.

A necropsy performed by PEF veterinarian Dr. Bayani Vandenbroeck revealed that the chick suffered from yolk sac retention (omphalitis), a rare condition that can lead to severe infections and complications. The chick’s weight was also significantly below the expected range for his age.

“This is the first case of yolk sac retention we’ve encountered among the chicks we’ve successfully hatched and raised,” Dr. Vandenbroeck said. “Strict hygiene and management protocols were in place, so this outcome was unexpected. We will thoroughly investigate how we can further improve our practices.”

Domingo Tadena, NBBS Facility Manager, expressed the team’s grief over the loss. “The passing of Chick No. 30 is a challenging setback. Despite our best efforts, unforeseen complications arose. This loss motivates us to learn, adapt, and strengthen our care practices to better protect future hatchlings.”

The PEF has already started implementing measures to address the findings from this incident, ensuring that lessons learned will enhance the care provided to future hatchlings.

While the loss of Chick No. 30 is a painful reminder of the challenges in conserving critically endangered species, the PEF remains committed to its mission of protecting and recovering the Philippine eagle population.

“This tragic event inspires us to work even harder for the survival of this iconic species,” the foundation said in a statement. “We assure our partners, supporters, and the public that we will continue to pursue innovative solutions to safeguard the future of the Philippine eagle.”

The PEF calls for continued support in its efforts to preserve one of the world’s rarest and most majestic birds, reinforcing the importance of conservation in the face of daunting challenges.