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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Eagle foundation presses for air gun regulations for wildlife protection

Eagle foundation presses for air gun regulations for wildlife protection

Published Mar 3, 2024 01:04 am

The Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) is seeking assistance for the young eagle that was shot with an air gun at Mount Kalatungan Range in Pangantucan, Bukidnon two weeks ago.

 

PEF Photo.webp
Field assessment of the rescued Philippine Eagle "Kalatungan" by Dr Sheen Gadong, DVM. Photo by PEF Biologist Andrei Tirona

 

Jayson Ibañez, PEF Director for Operations, said that this incident is the ninth eagle shooting victim, showing that these shootings continue despite authorities saying they have it "under control."

“This eagle is the 19th bird to be rescued and admitted at the PEC [Philippine Eagle Center] for medical care since 2019. Sadly, it is the 9th victim of eagle shooting in that cohort. It is alarming that in nearly all of these cases, air gun was the shooting weapon,” Ibañez said.

Last Feb. 24, a juvenile Philippine eagle named "Kalatungan" was rescued in Bukidnon with two air gun pellets embedded in its body. Following X-ray examinations and a surgical procedure to extract the pellets, Kalatungan is presently undergoing rehabilitation at the PEC.

 

PEF Photo 2.webp
A) "Kalatungan" undergoing X-ray examination; B) X-ray results showing two lead pellets inside Kalatungan's body;C) The pellet embedded beneath the skin of the Kalatungan's right shoulder; D) Air gun pellets extracted after surgery.

 

Ibañez said this incident is the third reported case of a Philippine eagle falling victim to air gun-related harm in Bukidnon since 2019.

The current law in the Philippines does not classify air guns as firearms, thereby exempting them from regulation under the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act (Republic Act 10591).

Ibañez said the accessibility of air guns, often classified as “toys,” contributes to their misuse in wildlife hunting and shooting activities, particularly in regions with inadequate wildlife law enforcement, such as the uplands.

In 2020, the first documented case of a Philippine eagle being shot with an air gun was "Tagoyaman Fernando," followed by the shooting of eagle "Sinabadan" the following year, which caused severe injuries to these magnificent birds.

"Air guns continue to imperil the life of our national bird. These weapons are not covered by the country’s Fire Arm law, and sales and trade of it go on unregulated. more eagles and wildlife are under a grave threat,” Ibañez said.

 

 

Your donation can make a difference in the lives of injured eagles like "Kalatungan." Join our cause by donating at philippineeaglefoundation.org/donate today.

Related Tags

Philippine eagle Kalatungan Philippine Eagle Philippine Eagle Foundation
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