Avian flu threatens Philippine Eagle Center

By Ruth Palo, Manila Times

These two Philippine eagles are among the 35 protected by the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) at Malagos village, Davao del Sur.  PEF FILE PHOTO

DIGOS CITY: The Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) is now working to relocate the Philippine Eagle Center to a more secure and viable location for breeding amid the looming threat of the avian flu.

Andi Baldonado, PEF development manager, said this is due to threats brought by the avian influenza, adding they are on standby to relocate the Philippine eagles to the 50-hectare local government property in Barangay Eden Toril District in this city.

Baldonado said the recent avian flu infection in Magsaysay town in Davao del Sur, which is less than a hundred kilometers away from the center, "practically brings the threat at their doorstep."

She said a single case of avian flu in the center can potentially wipe out all 34 Philippine eagles that they have right now.

"That's why we've said that we are on standby for a possible lockdown again if ever there's a case that will be detected in Davao City because we cannot risk having avian flu in the only captive breeding facility for the Philippine eagle," Baldonado said.

"The long-term plan is to really move, Malagos is no longer conducive for breeding wildlife and keeping the birds safe from the avian flu threat. In 2017, we had the threat as well so it's becoming more frequent. To prevent contamination, we need to isolate them," Baldonado said.

Right now, Baldonado said they are intensifying its biosecurity measures where the keepers are given access to the eagles in the center.

These keepers, she said, are assigned to specific eagles; they go to strict measures such as showering and changing into scrubs whenever they come in contact with the eagles.

The center, however, is still open to the public but stricter measures will have to be followed like not allowing vehicles to come inside the property anymore.

Baldonado also cited some game breeding farms around the 8.4-hectare Philippine Eagle Center, which houses 34 birds apart from several other wild bird species susceptible to infection.

"So it's not ideal anymore for a long-term plan of Philippine eagle conservation like breeding. And we find that it's time that we really need to secure the population and move them away from these areas," Baldonado added.

"We are working with the CPDO (City Planning and Development Office) towards releasing a usufruct which would allow us to use the facility for captive breeding and rescue rehabilitation," Baldonado said.

The PEF is seeking to raise P56 million as an initial budget to start the establishment of a new Philippine Eagle Facility in Eden, Toril.

Meanwhile, the PEF is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year with the theme "#AgiLaya: Lasting Freedom for the Philippine Eagle."

Highlights of the celebration include an exhibit from June 6 to 12 featuring Philippine eagle conservation milestones at SM Lanang Premier Atrium.

PAG-ASA GONE AT 28 💔

 

By Ian Garcia, Davao City

The Philippine Eagle Foundation is sad to announce the passing of beloved Philippine Eagle, Pag-asa.  Pag- asa succumbed to infections associated with Trichomoniasis and Aspergillosis. Both diseases are fatal for raptors. Although treatment was done over a week ago, he continued to deteriorate and died at 8:03 pm on January 6. 

Pag-asa would have turned 29 years old on Jan 15, 2021.  He was the first-ever Philippine Eagle bred and hatched in captivity using the cooperative artificial insemination techniques. Pag-asa’s birth- the culmination of 14 years worth of research, heralded hope for the critically endangered species and the entire conservation mission.

Years after he was hatched, the PEF reached yet another milestone with Pag-asa in the form of his first and only offspring. She was named Mabuhay and was also bred and hatched through CAI. Even after he retired from breeding, Pag-asa lived his life as an icon of hope for Filipinos, young and old, and was a constant inspiration to the people working tirelessly to save our National Bird from extinction.

Pag-asa was gone too soon indeed, but his legacy lives on. (PEF PR)

Race to Save the Philippine Eagle

Re-post of MINDANAO DAILY MIRROR Editorial from Wednesday, September 26, 2012 with friendly permission of publisher Marietta Singco).(

The Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) continues to dwindle in number despite the valiant effort of some stakeholders, chief of which is the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF). According to the International Union for Consideration of Nature (IUCN), the Eagle qualifies as a Critically Endangered Species because it has "an extremely small population ... owing to extensive deforestation." Decades of unmitigated deforestation to fill the need of a growing human population have rendered the Eagles' habitat unviable, and now they number only between 180 and 500 adult individuals.

"Forest destruction and fragmentation, through commercial timber extraction and shifting cultivation, is the principal long-term threat, "the IUCN says. "Old-growth forest continues to be lost within the eagle's range. Moreover, most remaining lowland forest is leased to logging concessions. Mining applications pose an additional threat." Human activities, especially in Mindanao where the Eagles used to thrive, are driving the national bird to extinction.

Survival of Philippine Eagles

While it is crucial to seek more donors to save the Philippine eagle from extinction, the Philippine Eagle foundation admitted that it is utterly careful in accepting funds for the survival of the country's national bird.

At the Philippine Eagle Center in Malagos district near Davao City (where, by the way, one of my nieces is working as a volunteer!), 12 of the 36 Philippine eagles in captivity are still up for adoption.

Dennis Salvador, Philippine Eagle Foundation executive director, told Mindanews, that there are companies that are insistent to support the foundation. But, Salvador clariied that the foundation has a policy in screening their partners, especially if the company is involve in resource extraction.

By the way, former Philippine president Fidel Ramos officially declared the Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) as the national bird in 1995.

Meanwhile, real estate developer Avida and entered into a three-years-sponsorship with the foundation and donated 125,000 Pesos to the foundation  for a 12-years-old eagle now known as "Avida".

Save the Philippine Eagle? Yes, PLDT helps... .

A symbol of the country's soaring aspirations, the Philippine eagle, the world's tallest eagle at three feet high from talon to crown, is still facing a grim future as yars of poaching pushed the birds in the brink of extinction.

Jude C. Galford explained it very well. Decades of illegal logging also in the Mindanao rainforests and elsewhere in the country where the eagles inhabit further threatened the very existence of the haribon - derived by blending HARI (king) and IBON (bird) - and the chance for the younger generation to see one of the world's most exotic predators.

As an environmentalist since many years I am glad and happy to announce: the sad fate of the Philippine eagle, moreover, may see a reversal of fortune now that several groups are doing whatever they can to help preserve and protect their natural nesting areas. These groups include PLDT (Philippine Longdistance Telephone Company) and the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF). 

Both really climbed the mountains of Barangay Datu Ladayon in Arakan Valley, North Cotabato recently to bring hope to the "monkey-eating-eagle.

Kudos and thank you very much for helping to PLDT Community Relation Head Evelyn M. del Rosario and PLDT Davao Customer Zone Head Mr. Ben Gaite. 

According to PEF Executive Director Dennis Salvador, PLDT was the first private institution helping the Arakan Valley. Yes, the Philippine eagle indeed may soar the skies of Cotabato again as one of the biggest living eagles in the world.

Want Your Adventure to Start NOW?

 

It's called "Volun Tourism" and "an adventure to make a difference". First time I visted Davao City has been sometime in 1982. "Once upon a time..." .My former Filipina girlfriend took me to the Philippine Eagle Foundation in Malagos, Baguio District, Davao City. I must confess, I was very much impressed, and I thanked her very much introducing me to this unique institution.

Since that time, I visited this place innumerable times. I love it there. 

How about you? Would you like to go on an adventure with what Charles Lindbergh called "the air's noblest flier"? Yes, I am sure, you will experience immersion.

 

Save the eagle, save the forests, secure our future.  

You know me already as an energetic environment saver and supporter. Also here in the Philippines living for good as an expatriat! I wish, I could convince you as volunteer with the Philippine Eagle Foundation. This foundation is a non-profit, non-government organization dedicated to saving the endangered Philippine Eagle and its habitat.

As an expedition volunteer, you can assist the team by helping collect data, interacting with communities implementing tree-planting programs or by providing camp site support.

Being an expat living in this wonderful country, I really keep myself busy "with such things". 

Contact any travel agent or inquire directly through eaglevoluntourism@yahoo.com or check out www.philippineeagle.org. This foundation is accredited and supported by the Philippine Department of Tourism.

I'm glad being able to provide you with these information.