TACLOBAN City - The Department of Environmental and Natural Resources (DENR-8) warned that there could be disturbance in the ecosystem in the forest after another eagle was rescued in one of the illegal logging hotspots in the region this year.
A white-bellied sea eagle was recently rescued by the Marabut Police after receiving a report from a concerned citizen that it is being held captive in Brgy. San Roque Marabut, Samar.
The adult white-bellied sea eagle with a wingspan of 1.86 meters is considered endangered in the Philippines.
Forester Glenn Garciano of the Community Environment and Natural Resources-Sta. Rita, Samar said eagles are generally territorial and go out once there is a disruption in their habitat.
"We have seen and identified the threats when we conducted a landscape and wildlife indicator (LAWIN) forest and biodiversity protection monitoring system. There are poaching and slash and burn cultivation (kaingin)," he said.
LAWIN hinges on regular monitoring and informed responses to forest and biodiversity threats. It empowers communities and authorities to address forest degradation and achieve conservation objectives.
Marabut Municipal Police Station Chief, PCpt. Charmaine Cartalla said it is the third case of reported captive eagles in her area this year. The first was reported in March and the second was in July.
Donato Labrague, the captor of the eagle, said he caught the eagle one evening after he saw it bump into a coconut tree and fall to the ground.
Although the eagle appeared to be fine, Garciano said it was brought to the rescue center in the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Offices (PENRO) in Palo, Leyte for further assessment.
He added that they have intensified their information and education campaigns not only on environmental policies and laws but also including forestry and laws on wild fauna.
"We sent a warning to those who catch wild animals of the possible sanctions if they are found in possession of them. These wild animals should not be taken as pets because they play a big part in our ecosystem," he said.