A PHILIPPINE Eagle was spotted at Mt. Candalaga in the municipality of Maragusan, Davao de Oro last October 12, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Davao Region (DENR-Davao).
In a statement by DENR-Davao on October 17, the eagle was spotted at 10:55 AM with an elevation of approximately 1,200 meters above sea level. The eagle was also seen flying over the forest canopy and perching on a tree branch. This was the first recorded sighting of the eagle in the area.
Conservationists from the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (Penro) of Davao de Oro and the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro) of the municipality of Monkayo reported that they first observed signs of the eagle’s presence in the area earlier this month.
Jayvee Agas, Regional Public Affairs Office Chief of DENR-Davao, told SunStar Davao that the involved teams were only able to sight the eagle thus its gender and age have not yet been identified.
“The local government unit (LGU) already has their plans for the monitoring of the eagle, as well as for the protection of the area, (including) to strengthen the information and education campaign activities with regards to the protection of Philippine Eagles,” Agas said via text message on Tuesday, October 18.
She added that the Philippine Eagle Foundation may also conduct its own monitoring of the newly-sighted eagle, as well as protection of the Mt. Candalaga Mountain Range.
DENR-Davao said the LGU also aims to do the same, especially since the mountain range is being considered to be added to the list of protected areas in Davao Region. Located 2,100 meters above sea level, Mt. Candalaga is one of the untouched, natural forests in the region.
Agas said it is still a long way to officially recognize Mt. Candalaga as a protected area. As of now, the mountain range is closed to trekking and mountaineering activities.
“The DENR-XI through its conservationists and forest rangers will continue to put its best foot forward in safeguarding and conserving Mt. Candalaga and all the wildlife species that inhabit in it, most especially the Philippine Eagle,” DENR-Davao said. ICM