Philippine Eagle Foundation eyes PHP56 million to move eagles away from bird flu, other extinction threats

There are only about 400 Philippine eagles in the wild, and, with the loss of Chick no. 29 due to a snake bite in April, the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) is keen to protect what is left of the bird population. It is currently seeking PHP56 million (US$1.06 million) in funding to build a new center away from the threats of avian flu and increasing human activity around its current site in Davao City.

The PEF said that they are eyeing a location within the city and added that the government may provide 50 hectare of lands for its new sanctuary.

Although the city of Davao itself has not recorded a case of avian flu, the town of Magsaysay in Davao del Sur, which is 90 kilometers southwest of the eagle center, poses a risk to the 34 eagles under the PEF’s care.

The emergence of game farms within the area has also put the current center at a high risk of infection.

Although the plan is reportedly still in its initial stages, the relocation is aimed to establish a sanctuary that is more conducive for conservation activities and breeding.

Increasing the population of the birds is a challenging order in itself. The Philippine eagle is one of the rarest in the world and only lays a single egg every one to two years, while eaglets take five to seven years to sexually mature.