THE Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) and Aboitiz Power are positive that Pangarap, a captive-bred Philippine eagle, will lay its first fertile egg this year. Pangarap turned 18 years old Thursday, February 23.
Aboitiz Power's adopted Philippine Eagle since 2010 is now ready for artificial insemination pending availability of semen. Once semen is collected, it will be stimulated for the production of fertile egg.
Breeding season falls in the months of June to January, with September to November as the peak period. While hatching months fall every December to January.
PEF development program manager Andi Baldonado said producing an offspring (eagle) is the foundation's end goal. "We are hopeful Pangarap will be a mother soon, this is very important to advance our mission for captive breeding, increase population of the critically-endangered species," she said.
Aboitiz Power Corporate Branding and Communication specialist-Mindanao's Harvey Lanticse, for his part, said the company will continue to support the Foundation's preservation and conservation efforts, especially on providing funds for Pangarap's food, veterinary care and shelter maintenance. Annual fund earmarked by the company for the eagle is pegged at P150,000.
Also, on top of its annual adoption fund donated to PEF, Aboitiz Power will fund a total of P5,000 to support the information and education campaign of the foundation.
"We look forward to strengthen our partnership with PEF, not just for Pangarap, but also for the information and education efforts," Lanticse said.
Pangarap's keeper and surrogate Eddie Juntilla, in a separate interview, said producing Pangarap's first offspring through cooperative artificial insemination (CAI) is essential to augment the dwindling population of the species. The artificial insemination and natural pairing are two types of eagle breeding.
Pangarap, under the PEF Philippine Eagle Adoption Program, is sheltered at the Philippine Eagle Center in Malagos, Baguio District, Davao City.