A JUVENILE Philippine Eagle was found dead last December 15, 2018 in Arakan, North Cotabato.
The eagle looked like it was electrocuted, apparently when it came in contact with an electric post.
A farmer named Freddie “Dodoy” Rodriguez discovered the carcass a meter away from a concrete electric post.
According to Dodoy, he was on his way to the marketplace when something on the ground caught his attention.
He approached what looked like a white sack on the grass and to his surprise, found the lifeless body of the eagle. It was still warm to the touch although ants had already swarmed around it.
The bird was brought to Datu Romeo Panawad, a volunteer forest guard, who then turned the bird over to the Philippine Eagle Foundation.
Further examination by PEF Veterinarian Ana Lascano showed burn marks on the left wing and on the right footpad of the bird. The left wing also sustained a compound fracture while a hole about 1 cm in diameter was found on the surface of the bird’s footpad.
Based on reviews of photographs by licensed electrical engineer Floro Baguec, Jr. of the Apayao Province Engineering Office, the power pole where the bird landed holds a “secondary line” bearing 220 Volts of electrical power.
"The bird apparently came in contact with the two wires simultaneously, and the full voltage passing through its body caused its death," he added.
According to a resident in the area where the eaglet was found, several wildlife species such as monkeys and palm civets have already died of accidental electrocution from the same power pole.
Accidental electrocution from power poles has been a major cause of deaths among many large eagles in the US and Europe. And this accident happening to one of our wild birds alarmed PEF Executive Director Dennis I. Salvador.
“This is the second instance that a Philippine eagle died of electrocution in Mindanao. The first case was a captive-bred bird release at Mt Apo in 2004” he said. “With the increasing rural electrification projects close to eagle habitats, power companies need to install mitigation measures to prevent more wildlife casualties especially in areas close to nature”, he added.
The body of the juvenile eagle is currently under the care of the PEF with plans to have it preserved for educational and scientific purposes. (PR)