Greater awareness for Philippine eagle sought

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The government's efforts to conserve the Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) seems to be paying off, but much more needs to be done to protect its fragile population, a senior government official said today.

Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Paje urged the public to take part in the observance of the 16th Philippine Eagle Week on June 4-10.

He said this year's celebration calls for greater awareness on the importance of the charismatic and iconic raptor, which is also known as "Haring Ibon" or king of birds.

"Nurturing this unique heritage found only in this part of the world is a gift of the Filipino people to the global community," Paje said.

The environment chief said this year will be extra special because three new additions to the eagle's population were recorded last December, providing a glimmer of hope for the national bird.

"In the midst of the government efforts to restore our dwindling forests, the presence of these birds boosts our hope of achieving a thriving forest ecosystem and a constant reminder that wildlife can co-exist harmoniously with humans," Paje said.

Acclaimed as one of the treasures of the Philippine wild, the national bird is the largest eagle in the world. With its height of 1 meter and a wing span of 2 meters, the Philippine eagle reigns supreme in the tropical forest as a top predator. A pair of this majestic bird occupies 7,000 to 13,000 hectares of forest territory.

With an estimated population of no more than 500 hundred pairs in the wild, it remains to be one of the most critically endangered birds in the world.

The annual celebration of the Philippine Eagle Week is mandated through Presidential Proclamation No. 79 issued in 1999.