IN SAFE HANDS. An injured Philippine Eagle is rescued on February 9 in Marogong East, Marogong, Lanao del Sur and turned over to the Regional Wildlife Rescue Center (RWRC) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-9 (DENR-9) for emergency care. The eagle, which needs further treatment, was transferred to the Philippine Eagle Foundation in Davao City. (Photo courtesy of DENR-9)
ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Zamboanga Peninsula (DENR-9), through its Regional Wildlife Rescue Center (RWRC), has turned over an injured Philippine Eagle to the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) in Davao City for medical treatment.
In a statement Wednesday, Dr. Anita Chua, RWRC resident veterinarian, said they decided to turn over the Philippine Eagle, named “Bangsa Bae” since the PEF has the facility and resources to perform the needed additional medical procedures.
“Bangsa Bae requires an immediate surgical operation on its injured right wing as the bacterial infection is already widespread and could be fatal,” Chua said.
Personnel of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s Community Environment and Natural Resources, and Energy Office (BARMM-CENREO) of Lanao del Sur, assisted by the RWRC, rescued Bangsa Bae on February 9 in Barangay Marogong East, Marogong.
Upon the successful rescue, the BARMM-CENREO-Malabang, in coordination with the PEF, turned over Bangsa Bae to the DENR-9’s RWRC, as it is the nearest facility in the area that can provide immediate medical assistance and emergency care.
Meanwhile, DENR – 9 Executive Director Datu Tungko Saikol lauded the collaboration between the different agencies and institutions in the rescue of the eagle.
“Our [wildlife] rescue center is ready to be of assistance in providing aid and we will continue our efforts to constantly develop and upgrade our operations and infrastructure,” Saikol said.
The RWRC is jointly operated by DENR-9, Department of Agriculture-9, and the provincial government of Zamboanga del Sur through a Memorandum of Agreement.
Classified as critically endangered, the Philippine Eagle is the country’s national bird.
On January 10, the DENR-9 released back to the wild a rescued and rehabilitated Philippine Eagle named Godod in the municipality of Godod, Zamboanga del Norte.
To date, the DENR-9 has documented sightings and breeding of the Philippine Eagle in Baliguian, Godod, and Siocon towns in Zamboanga del Norte, Midsalip in Zamboanga del Sur and Pasonanca Natural Park in Zamboanga City. (PNA)
