THE Philippine Eagle is listed as "critically endangered" under the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species.
But conservation efforts by different sectors, especially by the Philippine Eagle Foundation, are put in place to ensure the future of the species. Likewise, there is the existing awareness of the general public on the importance of conserving or protecting the national bird.
The Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) currently operates the Philippine Eagle Center in Malagos, Davao City. Since 1987, PEF spearheaded the conservation, breeding, and research of the Philippine Eagle. These efforts have produced results as the center was able to successfully captive breed the eagle, rehabilitate rescues eagles, and released many back into the wild.
However, there is a growing need to boost the conservation efforts for the Philippine Eagle because of growing external threats.
"One of the challenges that we are facing now at our current facility in Malagos are the threats of exotic diseases like the avian flu, New Castle disease, and the Trichomoniasis," Dr. Jayson Ibañez, Philippine Eagle Foundation Director for Research and Conservation, said on February 27, 2023.
He added that the urban sprawl is also another threat to the eagles at their current facility. The surrounding area now is becoming noisier and there are growing agricultural activities outside the center.
"'Yong threats din ng mga (There is also the threats from) domestic animals. May pagala-galang mga manok nakakapasok sa facility (There are chickens that make their way into the facility), they could potentially bring exotic disease," Ibañez said.
He said residents using “videokes” nearby are also affecting the PEC.
"'Yong ating dati na (What was once a) fortified facility is now vulnerable to threats," Ibañez said, adding that the woodlands surrounding the PEC three decades ago served as buffers from external threats.
To address these issues, PEF will be putting up a new center dedicated to breeding eagles.
Under a canopy of tall trees and surrounded by a lush forest in Barangay Eden, Toril District, Davao City, will rise the Philippine Eagle Conservation and Breeding Sanctuary (PECBS).
The development of the conceptual framework for the PECBS started in 2021 with the United Architects of the Philippines-Kadayawan Chapter.
Biodiversity assessments and feasibility studies were conducted with the local and Indigenous communities in Barangay Eden, the University of the Philippines-Mindanao, and Davao City Government in 2021.
On April 8, 2022, the Bagobo-Tagabawa community endorsed a resolution supporting the setting up of a conservation and breeding facility at Barangay Eden, Toril.
In the same year, PEF met with Davao City Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte for the establishment of the PECBS within the 105-hectare Eden Tourism Reservation Area. On January 26, 2023, the trail leading to the PECBS was established.
The center will sit on a 13-hectare of land that was lent to them by the city government of Davao. It will be within the Eden Tourism Reservation Area.
The PECBS can accommodate 12 eagles or six pairs with its six holding cages. The center will also have a hospital for Philippine Eagles, staff quarters, rehabilitation pens, quarantine pens, and a food preparation area.
A perimeter fence with a two-feet base cement and six-feet solid galvanized steel sheet will also be established to ensure the protection of the eagles.
'Perfect' sanctuary
Being also the home of two other wild Philippine Eagle pairs, Ibañez said the new location will be conducive to their captive breeding program.
"We think that [our location] is perfect kasi nga yung elevation is right for natural breeding, [pati] yung vegetation, and then yung of course yung temperature (because the elevation, vegetation, and temperature is right for natural breeding)," Ibañez said.
At their facility in Malagos, it is much warmer. When chicks are born at the current facility, they are artificially reared in air-conditioned rooms.
"But here you have that natural air-condition and we think that this would really boost ‘yong (the) productivity ng ating (of our) [captive] breeding," Ibañez said.
He added that they are optimistic that once the facility in Eden is completed, they will be able to hatch more chicks.
"I think in the past, ‘yong (our) breeding success was one bird every two to three years. We're predicting na (that) moving our natural pairs and breeding here, and also doing natural breeding and rearing, that would substantially increase, ‘yong productivity natin (our productivity), [to] perhaps one or two eaglets each year," Ibañez said.
The new location also provides natural protection to the Philippine Eagles being kept for the breeding program of PEF.
"This is totally isolated. May maganda kang buffer ng forest (You have a great buffer from the forest). You have a deep ravine on both sides of the facility that would act as a natural barrier," Ibañez said.
The PECBS will also be closed to the public to allow it to be conducive for breeding Philippine Eagles.
"This is strictly off-limit, because human disturbance [affects the] successful reproduction nung mga birds natin (of our birds)," Ibañez said.
Meanwhile, at the PECBS, Ibañez said they will be able to let the birds in the breeding program breed and rear their chicks naturally.
"Meaning ang pair ng (The pair of) Philippine Eagles would incubate the eggs and take care of the chick... and hopefully that would help ‘yong training ng ating (in training our) young birds into becoming 'proper eagles,'" Ibañez said.
He also said aside from the natural barriers and the perimeter fence, Bantay Bukid volunteers will also help in ensuring the protection of the eagles and the local environment.
Building the center
The construction for the first phase alone will take around six years.
"The first phase is ito nga ‘yong (will be the construction of the) temporary holding cages for three pairs," Ibañez said.
For the first phase, the PEF will need to raise P26 million.
"We’re estimating about P26 million that we need to develop and operate... the first phase of the sanctuary. So, sa karon (right now) we’re relying heavily on the donations of our corporate partners and our donors," Andi Baldonado, PEF Development Program, said.
Baldonado said the breeding chamber alone would cost around P2.3 million.
"Why is it so expensive? Kay... lisod mag-haul ug materials sa site (You have to haul the materials to the site), so it’s very costly to construct here. So, mao na siya ang amoang isa sa mga challenges (That would be one of our challenges)," Baldonado said.
From the Barangay Hall of Barangay Eden, it is around a five to ten-minute drive to the jump off-site. From the site, it is a 20-minute to 30-minute uphill hike. At present, the road leading to the jump-off site is not yet cemented while the right vehicle can only drive you up to the foot of the hill where PEF has established a campsite. From the campsite, workers will have to manually carry the materials uphill.
Transporting the birds
Dominic Tadena, PEF Senior Animal Keeper, said once the first phase is completed, they will initially transport three pairs for breeding.
The birds that will be transported next are 10 imprinted eagles.
There will still be eagles left at PEC. These are eales that are already retired from the captive breeding program. The birds left at the center in Malagos will continue to help in the education and raising awareness of the Philippine Eagle.
Ibañez said when transporting the eagles to the PECBS, they will have to be "cradled" by their keepers.
"It’s a standard procedure and so we’re positive na hindi madi-disturb 'yong birds natin (that the birds will not be disturbed) when transported," Ibañez said.
Matanàm Docris Daug, IPs (indigenous peoples) head of the Bagobo Tagabawa, welcomed the development of the PECBS in Barangay Eden because it will also help in preserving the environment.
"Ang amua man gud dir, dugay na mi nag handum nga naay mag tabang protekta pero kulang mi og kusog (We have been hoping someone to help us protect the environment here because we do not have that capability)," he said.
Daug added they are hoping the facility will help bring the birds back to the area as they have observed that the bird population may have started to decline as it has been quieter compared to previous years.
As for the city, Duterte, in a message read by Davao City councilor Tek Ocampo, said the PECBS will help in the conservation efforts for the Philippine Eagle.
"The PECBS is a tangible expression of your strong commitment in helping the eagles thrive," Duterte said. (RJL)