THE Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) is asking the Davao City Government to help them set up emergency enclosures in Barangay Eden for them to be able to transfer three pairs of eagles that are part of the captive breeding program.
“Mao na among gina-ask karun nga tabang from the city government kay kailangan unta nga ma-prioritize na sila (eagles) na mabalhin sa Barangay Eden kay tungod naa ta’y scare karun sa avian flu (We are asking the help of the city government because we need to prioritize the transfer of the captive breeding eagles because of the threat of avian flu),” Andi Baldonato, Development Manager, PEF said in an interview with the Davao City Disaster Radio, Wednesday, June 8, 2022.
Baldonato said a temporary setup would already be a big help in keeping the eagles safe.
“Then later on the goal is to develop a new facility there na intended gyud for breeding, and rehabilitation sa mga eagles,” Baldonato said.
Recently, Baldonato said they are planning to move out from Malagos permanently due to threats of the avian flu and other contamination concerns because of the lack of buffer zones.
“In fact, there are farm lots adjacent to our property and it’s very disturbing for the birds to breed,” Baldonato said.
The Philippine Eagle Center (PEC) currently occupies eight hectares of land in Malagos. In Barangay Eden, they are eyeing putting up the center on a 50-hectare property of the City Government. The establishment of the new center will cost PEF P56 million.
Baldonato said moving the center is important considering that the breeding season can be complicated.
“Ang mga agila man gud sensitive sila ba, kanang makadungog silag saba, ma-disrupt na dayon ilang breeding activities, so di madayon, so mahuman nalang ang season dili sila kaproduce og itlog, so kailangan sila unahon pag-transfer,” Baldonato said.
( The eagles are very sensitive. Once they hear noises, it will affect their breeding activities. It is possible they won’t lay eggs until the breeding season ends. That is why we need to transfer them.)
Baldonato said PEC in Malagos will still be open to the public for educational purposes once they move out because the rehabilitation and breeding site in Barangay Eden will not be open to everyone.
“Ang sa Eden man gud, ang priority is breeding and rehabilitation, so dili na sya actually open to the public, dili parehas karun sa Malagos nga pwede moadto didto,” Baldonato said.
(In Eden, we will prioritize breeding and rehabilitation, so it will not be open to the public unlike in Malagos where they can visit anytime.)
Baldonato said they already conducted an assessment of the Barangay Eden to ensure the safety of the eagles.
“We’ve made assessment already in the area. In fact, it's very ideal for the Philippine Eagles kay naa ra man gud na sya sa (because it is at the) foothill sa (of) Mount Apo, so nesting territory ang Mount Apo so that already tells us it's ideal for these eagles – the elevation, the temperature, the weather,” Baldonato said.
Baldonato said to help them raise funds, anyone can donate through their website at philippineeaglefoundation.org/donate where people have options to donate via e-money services and debit/credit card.