THE Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) will need P56 million to transfer the Eagle Center to Barangay Eden in Toril from Malagos, said Andi Baldonado, PEF development manager.
“The long term plan is really to move already, kasi hindi na po conducive yong Malagos for breeding and keeping the bird safe para sa mga ganitong threat, avian flu, it's becoming more frequent na, para mas ma-seclude natin ‘yong population and avoid the risk of contamination, so we need to isolate them.” Baldonado said.
(Moving is part of our long term plan because Malagos is no longer conducive for breeding and keeping the birds safe from avian flu. We need to isolate them so that we can protect their population and avoid the risk of contamination.)
PEF said in a statement that it only takes a single case of avian flu in the Philippine Eagle Center (PEC) to wipe out the captive breeding stock.
Earlier, a bird flu outbreak was reported in Magsaysay, Davao del Sur, which is around 90 kilometers southwest of the PEC, posing a risk to the 34 eagles in the center.
Aside from the outbreak, a python attacked a juvenile Philippine eagle and died inside its snake-proofed and safe enclosure.
According to Baldonado, the target location is part of the protected area of Mount Apo.
Compared to 8.4 hectares in Malagos, the eyed location in Eden is around 50 hectares and is allotted for conservation.
“That’s very small (Malagos area), it's not enough even for a buffer area, in fact if you look at Malagos right now, yong enclosure namin right now, next to it is farm lot, wala tayong buffer, talagang yong mga agila natin exposed lang to form activities and other residential activities around the area.” Baldonado said.
However, she said developing the new location comes with a big price tag.
“This have to take more time, kasi ang laki ng budget na kailangan namin to develop the facility, based on our framework plan, we need at least P56 million to develop enclosures, hospital for the eagles for the area, hindi accessible itong area na ito kaya it all causes a lot of expenses when it comes to construction,” Baldonado said.
(We need at least P56 million based on our framework to develop enclosures, hospital for the eagles because the location is not accessible, which is why developing it can be expensive.)
Baldonado said they hope to get support from the government for the allocation of the budget requirement and to engage with their corporate partners, donors and fundraising activities.
“We’re still working on aligning our plans with the city’s plan as well with the development of this area,” Baldonado said.
PEF said that since the pandemic in 2020, they have recorded 12 eagle rescue cases from Mindanao.
Meanwhile, PEF will celebrate its 35th year and presents the Philippine Eagle Week (PEW) in SM Lanang Premier from June 4 to 13, 2022 with the theme “#AgiLaya: Lasting Freedom for the Philippine Eagle.”
The event will highlight an exhibit from June 5 to 12, 2022, featuring Philippine Eagle conservation milestones.