DAVAO CITY – Philippine Eagle “Uswag” died after the raptor crashed and drowned in the coast of Baybay City in Leyte on July 30, just a month after its release in the forests of the province.
The Philippine Eagle Foundation said in an incident report on Monday, August 5, that Uswag, which was equipped with a solar-powered global positioning system transmitter, may have crashed into the sea sometime on July 30 based on GPS record.
USWAG flies during its release in Leyte last June 28. (Keith Bacongco)
It coordinated with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and other partners to conduct a search and rescue operation on July 31.
“But after July 31, we have not received any GPS reading until August 2 that stated that Uswag was already along the coast between Poro and Ponson Islands (Camotes Islands) in Pilar, Cebu,” Dr. Jayson Ibañez, PEF Director for Operations, said.
The PEF searched the coast of Baybay City on August 1 with the assistance of the Philippine Coast Guard. Heavy rains prompted them to abort the search after 14 hours at sea and covering 700 hectares.
The following day, PEF and PCG continued the search between the shores of Baybay and Cuatros Islas and covered an area of about 6,000 hectares. They still failed to find the carcass of the eagle.
After 42 hours of search covering about 1,000 hectares, Uswag’s carcass was eventually retrieved near Ponson Island in Pilar on August 3.
It was brought to the College of Veterinary at Visayas State University in Baybay City for necropsy. An X-ray was conducted in a pet clinic.
Based on veterinarian’s estimates, Uswag has been dead four to five days before it was retrieved.
“There’s no foul play, no indication that it was shot. It’s just accidental drowning,” Ibañez said.
Ibañez added that Uswag was healthy and fit and there was evidence based on field observations that it has already hunted successfully in the wild during the first few days after his release.
Uswag, a male Philippine Eagle about three- to four-years-old, was released along with female eagle named “Carlito” in the forests of Barangay Kagbana in Burauen, Leyte last June 28.
Ninth case
Ibañez said that Uswag was the ninth documented case of an eagle that crash-landed at sea since 1993.
He theorized Uswag may have lost his flight bearings and was sucked towards the sea by the rains and winds from the southwest monsoon or “habagat.”
Like Uswag, the eight other eagles that crash-landed at sea were also immature eagles.
USWAG’S transmitter showing latest location between Poro and Ponas Islands Camotes Islands on August 2. (PEF)
Seven of these eight eagles that crash-landed in the water were from coastal towns in Mindanao. The other one crash-landed at Lake Lanao in Lanao del Sur.
The PEF said that Uswag was the first reintroduced wild eagle and the first with a GPS tracking device to crash at sea.
The other eagles were untagged. But seven out of eight birds were miraculously alive and saved by fishermen, the PEF said.
Ibañez they will investigate Uswag’s case further and ask assistance from government experts to study how weather patterns affect the movement of Philippine Eagles.
He said that they are saddened by the incident but said that it also serves as a lesson to further improve their release and conservation decisions.
“We will further investigate and explore systematic GIS mapping and modelling of topography, wind patterns, and other climate parameters at these crash sites to determine patterns and assess risks,” Ibañez said.
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