RESCUED Philippine eagle Sawaga-Dalwangan, who was reportedly being attacked by some 30 monkeys when it was saved on July 3, passed away on the morning of July 18, the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) announced.
In a statement, the PEF said Sawaga-Dalwangan’s death is ‘a painful reminder of the serious threats Philippine Eagles continue to face and of the importance of preventing shooting, trapping, and other harm to wildlife.’
The initial examination found no evidence of new external trauma or internal bleeding. However, the veterinarians observed that her heart was thickened and unusually firm, her liver was enlarged, and her stomach was greatly enlarged, containing a large amount of compacted prey fur.
‘We understand that many people followed Sawaga-Dalwangan’s recovery and shared our hope that she would survive. We remain grateful to the communities, government agencies, veterinarians, supporters, and partners who helped rescue and care for her.
‘These findings do not yet establish the cause of death. Tissue samples from her organs have been collected for microscopic examination and further laboratory analysis,’ the PEF said.
PEF said it will release a consolidated report once the remaining veterinary and laboratory results have been completed.
Before her death, Sawaga-Dalwangan had been showing encouraging signs of recovery. Her wounds were healing, her hydration and appetite had improved, and she was displaying normal behavior such as preening and casting food remains.
However, on the morning of July 18, she suddenly experienced seizures.
Despite immediate emergency intervention, she passed away shortly afterward.
To recall, Sawaga-Dalwangan was discovered in a weak, dehydrated, and wounded state near the Sawaga River in barangay Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. The rescue was carried out by resident Marven Linoy, with assistance from the Daraghuyan Ancestral Domain Indigenous Political Structure and the Inhandig Tribal Multi-Purpose Cooperative, who claimed that monkeys were reportedly ganging up on the eagle, which he thought was just a chicken.