Philippine Eagle discovered shot and injured
Posted on September 26th, 2009
Last week, a conservation group in Agusan Del Sur reported a Philippine Eagle found who was bullet-ridden. The badly injured Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyii) was discovered by farmer Nenito Tabana in Pangan village on September 21, according to Richard Bautista, communication officer of the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF).
The eagle was immediately endorsed by Tabana to Trento Mayor Irenea Hitgano, who in turn endorsed it to the staff of PEF who arrived the following.
Upon the initial assessment, Bautista said that the eagle has a “slim chance of survival,†however, the team of veterinary experts at the PEF conservation and rehabilitation center in Malagos district are not about to give. The eagle was believed to be around9 years old, although the gender has yet to be known.
The eagle, which they called Pangyan (derived from the village), has undergone an x-ray examination where they found two gun pellets embedded inside its body, an inch deep from the shoulders. Its two legs were also badly fractured and it is still unable to open its rights eye, said Bautista.
When the foundation received the eagle, Bautista said its legs were wrapped with electrical tape plastered on some leaves, an indication that there was an attempt to cure it.
“When we retrieved the eagle, it was passive, which means that it had been in contact with humans for some time already. Normally these wild birds are aggressive,†said Bautista.
As for the person responsible for shooting the bird and causing its injury, the PEF and DENR authorities are still investigating.
The Philippine Eagle is an endangered species. Under the Republic Act 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, persons harming Philippine Eagles could be imprisoned for 12 years.
A team of scientist are now working on the treatment of Pangyan, who also believes that the bird has a mate.
Filipinos let’s give our respect to the PHILIPPINE EAGLE. They symbolizes our FREEDOM.. this eagle is a Filipino too.. our pride. Thanks to PHILIPPINE EAGLE FOUNDATION for the courage and undeniably strong motivation to conserve and looking forward for the eagle to survive in large number in the wild. I know someday.. somehow.. or even now I could do something to help. God bless!