DAVAO CITY – A wounded male Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi), which was rescued in Sarangani province last week, will soon undergo a surgical removal of a marble and a pellet under its skin once it has recovered from dehydration.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Community Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-CENRO) in Kiamba said the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) noticed a marble and a small lead pellet under the eagle’s skin.
DENR-CENRO Kiamba said, on January 9, they came to see Mang Ganang, the resident who rescued the raptor after seeing it trying to catch a monkey near the Salagbanog Falls.
Ganang found the raptor trapped in thorny rattan vines last January 8 in Sitio Wata in Barangay Ticulab, Kiamba town.
"Mr. Ganang rescued the big bird and immediately informed their Chieftain Fredimen M. Wanan of the incident, late afternoon of January 8," the DENR-CENRO Kiamba said. The eagle was later turned over to the PEF.
The local CENRO said based on the initial statement issued by the PEF, the male eagle was three to five years old, and weighs 4.25 kilograms. It underwent an X-ray exam, blood test for CBC and fungal swab test, and is now under the custody of the PEF.
It added that the eagle will undergo surgical removal of the bullets once it recovers from dehydration.
“The raptor is dehydrated, but has no fracture or wounds in the body. However, two bullets were found under its skin (a big jolen and a small lead pellet) and are now under close examination,” Dr. Ana Lascano of the PEF was quoted as saying.
"Other laboratory tests to be initiated will be DNA test, avian influenza and NCD screenings," she added.
According to Dr. Ali M. Hadjinasser, officer of the Community Environment and Natural Resources in Kiamba they will investigate the possible hunting of wildlife in the area which is a clear violation of Republic Act No. 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.
“From the initial findings, the DENR through CENRO Kiamba will conduct an investigation on the suspected hunting of this raptor. This is a clear violation of RA 9147 or (the) Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act,” he said.
The DENR-CENRO Kiamba said "this is the second Philippine eagle rescued in Maitum and the third Philippine eagle rescued by the DENR in CENRO Kiamba's jurisdiction since 2016."