Philippine male eagle, “Geothermica” or “Geo,” died of infection in Singapore, the Philippine Embassy in Singapore announced.
Philippine eagle Geothermica (Photo by Roslan Rahman, Agence France-Presse)
Geothermica was one of the two Philippine eagles in the Bird Paradise at the Mandai Wildlife Reserve. He was 19 years old.
Before his untimely death on Sept. 7, the male eagle had been under “intensive care in Singapore, receiving the best care possible,” the embassy said.
In a statement, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte said she was “saddened” by the passing of Geothermica, which she visited in Singapore last June.
“Known as Geo, his journey was not only of strength and resilience but also a story of friendship between the Philippines and Singapore,” she added.
Geo and female Philippine Eagle “Sambisig” were transferred from the Philippine Eagle Center in Davao City to Singapore in 2019 under a Wildlife Loan Agreement between the Philippines and the Mandai Wildlife Reserve in Singapore.
The breeding program is a 10-year renewable agreement that was part of the Golden Jubilee celebration of the establishment of bilateral relations between the Philippines and Singapore.
“In tribute to Geo, I join the call to effect change and carry forward his memory as a story of hope and a lasting commitment to the preservation of endangered species,” Duterte said.
On Friday, Sept. 8, the Mandai Wildlife Reserve announced in a statement that Geo died due to severe infection in his lung.
The official stressed that Geo’s and Sambisig’s lives “exemplified the Philippines’ commitment to conservation and underscored the importance of safeguarding our planet's biodiversity.”
“I thank the Mandai Wildlife Group for its exceptional care of Geo. Additionally, I thank the Philippine Eagle Foundation for its cooperation and tireless efforts in the protection and preservation of these magnificent birds,” she added.
The Philippines Eagle Foundation said there are an estimated 392 pairs of Philippine Eagles left.
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