DAVAO CITY, Feb. 17 (PIA)—There are approximately 400 pairs of Philippine Eagle left in the forest of Mt. Apo and other forested areas in Southeastern Mindanao, according to Jimbea Lucino, culture-based conservation manager of the Philippine Eagle Foundation.
She said they encourage forest guarding to preserve the Philippine Eagle which has reached critically-endangered status.
She attributed losing the eagles to the degradation of the environment, particularly the forests which serve as habitat for eagles and other wildlife.
Lucino said only few can be seen in the forest and in the breeding center.
She observed that a Philippine Eagle is territorial with 4,000 to 10,000 hectares of domain. Lucino admitted that due to the deforestation, the territory of Philippine Eagles has been reduced tremendously.
She revealed that in the time of the pandemic, more or less ten Philippine Eagles have been turned over for the care at the breeding center after they are found to be trapped in the forest.
“The Philippine Eagle has a nature to look for food in the forest and walking is one of its traits, that is why, it is not far that often they are trapped,” Lucino said.
Lucino bared that often the traps were set up by the Indigenous Peoples for food while outsiders also set up traps for leisure or commercial reasons.
She said it is urgent to educate everyone on the need to protect the Philippine Eagle. Lucino added that losing the eagle’s habitat leads eventually to losing the Eagle, the trees, the forest and clean water for the people.
“It is actually an education for all from ridge to reef for us to discern the connection of the Philippine Eagle to the healthy environment,” Lucino said. (PIA XI-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)
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