ORMOC CITY, Leyte -- A concerned citizen turned over on Sunday, March 12, an endangered eagle or sea hawk (Pandion Haliaetus) to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) after it was rescued in a residential area here.
Joseph Tolentino Jr., a resident of Barangay Mabini, said he was surprised when the eagle suddenly appeared at the narrow and dark pathway of their community.
Knowing the value of this raptor, they saved the eagle, preventing others from snatching it.
Some residents believed that the eagle might have smashed into a tall building and fell to the ground. Both of its legs were tied with straw ropes.
Aware that keeping the endangered species is prohibited, Tolentino brought the bird to a village official who then called for the attention of the DENR.
Leonardo Germano, supervising eco-system specialist of DENR based in Albuera, Leyte, identified the raptor as a male sea hawk eagle believed to be five to six months old. It has expanded wings measuring 100 centimeters and weighed over a kilogram.
The rope tied to both of its legs made them believe that it might have escaped from captivity and did not come from the wild.
The fish-eating eagle will be brought to the DENR wild life rescue center in Palo, Leyte. (PNA)