Young eagle rescued in Baguio village

BAGUIO CITY Philippines —  A young eagle was rescued by a family in Barangay Loakan Proper here on Friday, the Baguio City Police Office said.

According to the BCPO, Ed Amoguis found the bird resting in their garden in Purok Bubon at 10 a.m. He rescued the raptor to prevent it from being left vulnerable or handled improperly.

Recognizing that the bird is a protected endemic wildlife species, Amoguis and his wife, Leticia, called 911 and the BCPO’s Station 4 for assistance.

The bird was turned over to authorities for assessment, care and rehabilitation.

Mayor Benjamin Magalong commended the Amoguis family, Baguio 911 and the BCPO for their prompt and careful response, parti-cularly their efforts to ensure the safety of the wildlife.

Meanwhile, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Region 10 is investigating the death of a mature Philippine Eagle found near a power line in Barangay Guinalaban in Salay, Misamis Oriental on Oct. 1.

The Community Environment and Natural Resources Office in Gingoog City said a farmer found the bird and alerted barangay officials who, in turn, informed the CENRO.

According to the CENRO-Gingoog investigation, burn-like marks were found on the bird’s feet. Chicks and chickens, natural food for the raptor, were seen in the vicinity.

In Davao, the Philippine Eagle Foundation said three airgun pellets were found inside the body of a five-year-old female eagle rescued in Barangay Manobo in Magpet, Cotabato on Sept. 27.

“For a Philippine Eagle, even one shot can mean broken bones, infection, loss of flight or death. This eagle was carrying three pellets. And this is not the first time an eagle from Magpet has suffered from gunfire,” the foundation said.

It added that the eagle, now called Magpet, remains under close veterinary care. - Josiah Antonio