THE Philippine Eagle Chick #30 died after 17 days, the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) announced. The chick passed away on November 29, 2024, at the National Bird Breeding Sanctuary (NBBS) in Davao City.
PEF reported that the chick initially showed normal behavior but developed respiratory distress on November 26. Despite immediate interventions, including oxygen therapy and fluid suctioning, its condition worsened, and resuscitation efforts failed.
PEF said that the loss of the chick underscores the vulnerability of raising chicks for critically endangered species. The foundation pledged to learn from the experience and continue its efforts to ensure the Philippine Eagle’s survival.
Dr. Bayani Vandenbroeck explained that the necropsy revealed that the retention of the yolk sac (omphalitis) and its complications caused the chick’s death. He also noted that the chick’s weight was lower than expected for its age.
“The Philippine Eagle Foundation assures its partners, supporters, and the public that it is already implementing measures based on these findings,” PEF said in its statement on Saturday, November 30, 2024.
The PEF breeding team, who have successfully hatched and raised numerous chicks, encountered their first case of yolk sac retention, a condition typically linked to infection or other causes.
Despite adhering to strict hygiene and management protocols, they did not anticipate this issue. The team is now focused on investigating areas for improvement in their care practices.
Domingo Tadena, facility manager of NBBS, called the loss a setback but emphasized that the team would learn from it to enhance their care practices moving forward.
Chick #30 was the offspring of Philippine Eagles Sinag and Pin-pin, hatching on November 11 after a 56-day incubation. The chick’s hatching was assisted through the “help-out” method. RGP