DAVAO CITY – The Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) in Davao is working with American veterinary consultants to save the right eye of an eagle that was rescued in Bacuag town in Surigao del Norte three months ago.
The PEF confirmed, through its official Facebook page, that the Philippine eagle named “Balikatan” could no longer fly back to the forest.
Dr. Bayani Vandenbroeck earlier examined Balikatan’s eyes, and noticed the difference in the eagle’s reaction to his hands.
“When Doc Bayani brings his hand closer to Balikatan’s left eye, he does not get any reaction from the eagle. But on the right eye, the eagle Balikatan immediately reacts,” PEF executive Dennis Joseph Salvador said.
Salvador said that, after a thorough health checkup, they found that Balikatan was partially blind. He added that with poor eyesight, the eagle will not be able to survive being in the wild.
Based on the ophthalmic test results, Balikatan completely lost his vision in the left eye for unknown reason, while his right eye was showing early signs of cataract.
“An eagle needs its keen eyesight and its sharp talons to hunt in the forest,” Salvador said.
The eagle also seemed calm during his checkup that indicated that he was used to being with people. It also indicated a possibility for Balikatan to approach nearby settlements, and risk being hunted or captured.
“But there is still hope for Balikatan. He needs all the help we can give,” Salvador said.
The PEF-Davao is knocking on everyone’s heart to help raise funds to sustain Balikatan’s rehabilitation and provide for his upkeep for a year.
It added that any amount one can give will make them one of Balikatan’s adopters. Unlike previous rescued eagles, Balikatan will not be returning home.
Balikatan was brought to the Philippine Eagle Center (PEC) last August for rehabilitation, after a concerned citizen took a photo of the eagle that he had kept in Bacuag.
The bird was under the care of an outdoor enthusiast Ryan Orquina, who had bought the eagle from an Indigenous Mamanwa trapper for P8,000.
Orquina said that such a price was small price to pay considering that it meant saving the country’s national bird.
Balikatan weighed 3.8 kilograms when he was rescued. He was believed to be immature (at least three years old). He was docile and could be restrained easily.