By Antonio L. Colina IV
DAVAO CITY – The Philippine Eagle Center (PEC) will be temporarily closed for an indefinite period starting March 18 due to the reemergence of the H5N6 avian influenza or bird flu in Nueva Ecija, and to prevent the transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among its visitors.
The Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) announced the temporary closure of the PEC indefinitely in its efforts to prioritize public health and safety.
“We endeavor to keep our guests, staff, the Philippines eagles, and other animals in our care safe from these grave threats to health,” the PEF statement added.
The H5N6 outbreak was last observed in 2017 in Luzon. Two years later, the PEF loaned out Geothermica and Sambisig, a pair of captive-bred Philippine eagles, to Jurong Bird Park in Singapore, as an effort to preserve the raptor’s genetic stock.
Meanwhile, the Department of Health-Davao confirmed on Sunday Davao’s first COVID-19 case, a 21-year patient who came from United Kingdon, who is admitted at the Davao Regional Medical Center in Tagum.
READ MORE: DOH confirms 45 new COVID-19 cases; total now at 187