DANGERS and struggles of the country’s critically endangered Philippine eagle were showcased in a documentary film over the weekend in a free public screening hosted by the USAid’s Protect Wildlife, the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF), and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
“Bird of Prey”, an ultra-high-definition wildlife documentary on the iconic Philippine eagle, was shown to local viewers at Cinema 6, Robinson’s Starmills, City of San Fernando, Pampanga.
DENR information officer Don Guevarra said the activity supports the advocacy campaign in protecting the country’s pride and crown jewel -- the Philippine Eagle.
“Bird of Prey captures in vivid cinematography the stunning natural history of the Great Philippine Eagle and reveals the inspiring work of a small group of people that are determined to protect and conserve the world’s most critically endangered raptor from extinction,” Guevarra said.
Produced by Cornell Lab of Ornithology, together with Emmy Award-winning cinematographer Neil Rettig and PEF, Bird of Prey follows a Philippine eagle family in the wild over the course of five months, documenting how a pair of eagles takes care of their young until it learns to fly off the nest and fend for itself.
The film also explores the complexities of protecting the Philippine eagle and the means to save it from extinction.
The Philippine eagle has been listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The PEF said that it is one of the hardest species to breed but recent developments in local breeding showed that captive-bred eagles are more resilient than the ones in the wild.