The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in the Soccsksargen region on Tuesday said that a Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) was found dead in Barangay Libertad of Arakan, Cotabato, on Sunday, October 4, three days after another died from electrocution in Salay, Misamis Oriental.
Philippine Eagle ‘Arakan’ was also reportedly electrocuted by a power line.
According to its social media post, the DENR-Community Environment and Natural Resources Office in Matalam said the eagle ‘had electrical burn marks on its left wing and on two digits of its right talon.’
The carcass was directly turned over to the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) for necropsy.
PEF, according to DENR-Soccsksargen, determined the cause of death was electrocution. The eagle was a sub-adult female and had burn lesions on the left wing and right foot.
The report also says that two air-gun pellets were recovered inside the body. Dr. Bayani Vandenbroeck, PEF’s veterinary consultant, conducted the necropsy.
‘The left-wing bullet associated with a recent wound estimated to be a few days old,’ the necropsy report said.
Her heart was enlarged with fluid surrounding it within the pericardial sac. The right atrium appeared ruptured and hemorrhagic.
The post-mortem result also revealed that the eagle had been shot or hunted shortly before it was electrocuted.
‘The department is saddened by the recent death of the Philippine Eagle following its passing. Our team through CENRO Matalam has already conducted an investigation in coordination with the Philippine Eagle Foundation for the proper proceedings of its death. And in light of this unfortunate event, we urge the public to assist us in protecting not only our beloved ‘Haring Ibon’ but also all wildlife species that are critically endangered in the country,’ Maria Elvira Lumayag, DENR-12 OIC regional director, said in a statement.
Lumayag called on the public to help the campaign to protect the majestic wildlife species.