LUCBAN, Quezon – An endangered female changeable Philippine hawk-eagle was released in Mount Banahaw in Barangay Ayuti here on Thursday, Sept. 8.
Jay Lim of Tanggol Kalikasan, with the Southern Luzon State University Forestry Department, Municipal Environment Office, and Sangguniang Bayan member Nikki Deveza released the bird at 9:30 a.m.
Lim said that the bird was trapped in a chicken coop in Barangay Rizal, Majayjay, Rizal owned by Silverio Borines who said that it tried to catch a chicken for prey on Monday, Sept. 5.
Borines sought the help of nephew, Mike, a forestry student of SLSU, who coordinated with Dr. Francisco Beltran, a forestry professor.
Beltran identified and examined the avian which wing span measured one meter and about 12 inches tall.
Lim said the juvenile bird which is strong and healthy and free from injuries was freed in an area in Mount Banahaw where there are sightings of the endangered species and near where it was found.
He reminded that a law – Republic Act 9147 or the Philippine Wildlife Act – protects endangered species in the country and doles out appropriate penalties for violators.