Habitat loss, hunting, trapping continue to haunt Phil. Eagles

DAVAO CITY, May 13 (PIA) A total of 400 pairs of Philippine Eagles are being monitored by the Philippine Eagle Foundation to look closely on their behavior and habitat.

Vidalyn Dumadag, communications officer of the PEF said the move is in line with the PEF’s mission in saving the eagles.

She said that there are 35 eagles in captivity which are being nourished by the foundation.

“Eagles in the wild are constantly threatened with the denudation of forests and hunting, shooting and trapping by individuals who are not aware of their importance to the environment,” Dumadag said.

She said one eagle was released by the foundation in December 2014, and is being monitored in the wild.

Dumadag stressed that the primary goal of the foundation is for every eagle to reproduce and to start a family on its own.

She said the ones seen by the foundation so far are the active nests in the Mt. Apo National Park which the eagles use every breeding season.

“An eagle has a lifespan at 40 years old,” Dumadag said.

To ensure the safety of eagles, she said the foundation has partnered with indigenous communities in Barangay Carmen, Calinan to monitor and to ensure the safety of the eagles’ habitat.

Dumadag said they also connect with the IP communities as far as Arakan Valley, North Cotabato where a reforestation activity is initiated to ensure the safe flight of the eagles in the forest corridor in the area.  (PIA-11 Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)