Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte - A rescued Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) was turned over to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region IX thru its Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte earlier today, April 16.
The Eagle was rescued at Barangay Bulacan, Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte by Barangay Chairman Romeo G. Dumencil together with Mr. Nito Bigog.
According to the report, the eagle was discovered trapped in the grassland of the barangay by Bigog. He immediately rescued it and reported the find to his Barangay Chairman Dumencil who accompanied him to CENRO Siocon despite the fact that the municipality is under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ).
Upon initial assessment and observation by the Eagle Watch Team of CENRO Siocon, the bird has no signs of injury and considered to be in good condition. It weighed around 3.5 kg. It is now placed in an innovated cage for further observation and health assessment before its release back to the wild.
DENR IX Regional Executive Director (RED) Crisanta Marlene P. Rodriguez expressed her gratitude to Barangay Chairman Romeo G. Dumencil and Mr. Nito Bigog for rescuing the Philippine Eagle and turning it over to CENRO Siocon. She added that the Department is appreciative of their effort and in giving their time in rescuing the bird despite being busy in attending to their constituents in this time of the pandemic COVID-19 crisis.
RED Rodriguez also reminded that we are still under threat for the Avian Influenza or Bird Flu and cautioned the public not to approach, handle, capture or kill wild birds particularly migratory birds as they are known carriers of the disease.
The International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed the Philippine Eagles as Critically Endangered having only an estimated 400 pairs in the wild.
Despite being under ECQ due to COVID-19, DENR IX continues to conduct intensified information, education, and communication (IEC) campaign to combat the violation of Republic Act No. 9147 otherwise known as “Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act” and other illegal environmental activities under its area of jurisdiction. (Photo Credit: CENRO Siocon, ZDN)
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- Parent Category: News & Events
- Category: Press Releases
- Published: 19 April 2020