Foundation steps up campaign to save endemic birds

THE Philippine Eagle Foundation in Davao City has intensified campaign for the conservation of bird species that are endemic to the country, by holding a series of Information and Education Campaign (IEC).

In an interview Saturday, Maje Egente, the foundation's education officer, said the importance of conducting an IEC is to create awareness among the people that there are these species of birds in the Philippine forests and that they must be protected.

The foundation also staged a five-day IEC expo at the NCCC Mall of Davao. The expo ended Sunday.

"Not everyone knows these birds. Through this campaign, the people will have raptor encounter," she said.

Four different species of birds were displayed at the expo. They were said to be tolerant to the crowd through their constant exposure to the people. These birds were White-Bellied Sea Eagle, Pinskers Hawk Eagle, Giant and Small Scops of Philippine Owls.

Even as these birds were allowed to be displayed for educational purposes, Egente said visitors were still restricted to touch the birds to keep them from being stressed.

She said the birds were once captives before being surrendered to the foundation, and because of constant encounters with people, their behaviors were altered.

"It's not safe for them anymore to be released. But, we use them to produce more offspring, which will later on be released to the wild,” Egente said.