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Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Eagle foundation set release of Philippine eagle
A PHILIPPINE Eagle bred in captivity is scheduled for a historic release in June at Mt. Matutum, an active volcano that also serves as landmark of South Cotabato province.
The move came after Davao City-based Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) found Mt. Matutum's forest cover still suited to host the world-renowned Philippine national bird.
Jason Ibañez, PEF coordinator on field research program, said Mt. Matutum is relatively isolated, a condition that allows easy monitoring of the eagle.
In the months leading to June, Ibañez said, they would focus on preparatory plans and activities, public consultations and information drive, among others, for the experimental release of the eagle.
The Philippine Eagle is one of the most endangered species in the world.
Each pair of eagle, environment experts said, needs at least 7,000 hectares of forest to survive.
Recent survey revealed that with forest lost, eagle population also diminished since these creatures are known to be forest dwellers.
"If the release will succeed according to the observations and monitoring, a pair of captive-bred Philippine Eagles will be released later on," Ibañez said.
He added that residents around Mt. Matutum have been consulted who are eagerly looking forward to the event.
Mayor Valentine Mariano of Tupi in South Cotabato gave his full support to the release of the eagle in Mt. Matutum, which occupies part of General Santos, Polomolok in South Cotabato, and parts of Sarangani province.
Mariano said the local government would assign several people to monitor the progress of the project after the release of the eagle to the wilds.
Mt. Matutum was earlier declared by the government as a forest and natural park.
Rising 2,286 meters above sea level, the peak has been nominated to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization natural site category.
Its thick vegetation, which is home to various rare species of flora and fauna, has drastically diminished to less than a third of its natural state almost 40 years ago, prompting authorities to temporarily close the peak to mountain climbers.
The forest degradation was blamed on illegal logging, slash-and-burn (kaingin) practice and forest fires.
The giant forest raptor is considered as one of the most powerful eagles in the world. It averages about a meter in length and has a wingspan of around 2 meters that makes it suited to long hours of soaring high above the forest canopy.
In 2004, it was estimated that there were 67 Philippine Eagles in the entire country including those in the Philippine Eagle center in Davao City.
A protected bird since 1970, the Philippine Eagle, which is considered as the largest eagle in the world, is listed by the environment department as one of the 24 critically-endangered wildlife species in the country. (RBS)
For Bisaya stories from General Santos.Click here. (This section is updated every Monday)
(March 13, 2006 issue)
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