The International Union for Conservation of Nature has listed the Philippine eagle, the country's national bird, as critically endangered, with only around 400 pairs left in the wild. These forest raptors face extinction largely due to habitat loss from deforestation, hunting, and other human activities that pose a grave environmental threat.
Philippine Eagle Week (PEW) takes place from June 4 to 10 annually, serving as a reminder for us to engage in projects advocating for their protection.
This year, the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF), a non-profit organization dedicated to eagle preservation, led efforts to help conserve the national bird. It has engaged local communities to learn about the role of biodiversity conservation amid the pressing issues confronting our planet today.
Save the eagles, save the Earth
PEF unveiled the taxidermy specimen of the Philippine eagle Geothermica at the National Museum of the Philippines, coinciding with the PEW celebration.
Proving its commitment to saving raptors, the organization is leading a breeding initiative that helps increase the Philippine eagle population through artificial insemination and captive breeding, with the aim of eventually releasing the eagles back into the wild.
It also plans to transfer breeding eagles to a dedicated facility to maximize captive breeding techniques, which can yield hopeful results.
"The commitment extends far beyond the eagle itself, encompassing extensive efforts in culture-based conservation, reforestation, habitat restoration, and forest protection to guarantee the survival of not only the Philippine eagle but also the diverse flora and fauna, and the community within its habitat," said Felicia Atienza, president of PEF.
As part of its 37th anniversary, PEF will conduct the first conservation translocation of Philippine eagles to Leyte Island this June 2024.
Plant, preserve, and protect
The organization’s "Planting for the Future" campaign will train indigenous peoples in various reforestation operations for involvement in nursery care, land preparation, tree planting, maintenance, and monitoring, which will create about 150 jobs in the community.
“PEF recognizes the significance of involving local communities in conservation efforts. We have always engaged communities in sustainable livelihood projects, environmental education, bridging the needs of a community, and awareness campaigns, fostering a sense of stewardship toward nature,” said Atienza.
For comprehensive transparency, the campaign has implemented a robust tracking system providing adopters with real-time updates on their plants, from nursery care to monitoring, using QR codes. It also features a database that tracks the impact of reforestation efforts in specific project areas.
Meanwhile, over the last decade, the foundation has launched four projects focused on restoring forests that will serve as habitats for Philippine eagles and other wildlife.
The projects feature Forest Corridor Development and "Sagip Banwa," which restored a total of 250 hectares of idle land and grasslands in North Cotabato. PEF has also received funding to restore 60 hectares of tidelands and grasslands as new carbon forests in Arakan, Davao City, and Monkayo, as well as 12 hectares of grasslands at Ayala Land.
“Many tree-planting programs fail because very little time and resources are allotted to post-planting care and maintenance,” she reminded. “The major challenge is access to resources and partners who will fund the cost of care and maintenance of seedlings post-planting. The first year of life of out-planted seedlings is the most vulnerable.”
PEF serves as proof that it takes collective power to effect positive change in conserving our natural treasures. We only have one shared home to care for; now more than ever, it’s time to support eco-initiatives that help the Earth regain its natural balance.
Helping save the Philippine eagles entails more than just conserving them; it ultimately involves taking care of existing forests and collectively opposing deforestation projects that threaten their habitat for personal gain.