‘Amianan’ to undergo surgery to remove bullet in chest

A Philippine monkey-eating eagle rescued from the wilds of the North is set to undergo surgery today to remove a bullet in its chest, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) announced.

The mature raptor, named "Amianan" by Environment Secretary Heherson Alvarez, was found severely wounded in Isabela last Oct. 25 and is currently confined at the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center in Quezon City.

Amianan, which literally means "north" in Ilocano, was caught in a pig trap by a certain Mr. Wangit in Mt. Susong Dalaga in San Mariano town in Isabela and was being offered for sale, initial reports reaching the DENR central office in Quezon City said.

The Philippine eagle was believed to have been shot prior to its landing in the pig trap.

But through the assistance of the Philippine Wood Producers Association (PWPA) based in the province, the 2.5-foot eagle was turned over to the DENR local ffice in Palanan town.

On Oct. 31, Amianan was brought to the DENR Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau Rescue Center for further treatment and operation.

The PWPA pledged to extend full support for the rehabilitation and recovery of Amianan.

Results of a physical examination of the bird disclosed a superficial wound on its right wing, while the X-ray examination conducted last Monday showed that the bullet is still lodged in its left chest despite the almost healed appearance of the injury. The bullet wound was purported to have come from a caliber .22 gun, probably used by hunters.

The imbedded bullet in the chest is seen as the cause of the bird’s loss of appetite.

Alvarez has appealed to the public for support in protecting the Philippine eagle as Amianan goes under the knife today.

The Philippine eagle, otherwise known as the monkey-eating eagle, is considered a rare species capable of holding in its talons a full grown goat, monkey or dog. It was declared the National Bird of the Philippines through Proclamation No. 615 by then President Fidel Ramos.