RP's youngest eagle a 'he'

MANILA, Philippines - Bighani, the baby eagle saved by a farmer from possible capture in Ilagan, Isabela in 2008, was discovered to be male after gender assessment.

The Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) in Davao City, a non-government organization that has been taking care of Bighani for two years now, said it would maintain its “feminine” name.

The monkey-eating eaglet was found wandering along the foothills of the town’s Sierra Madre mountains, weak because of hunger. It was turned over to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources where it was tagged as Eagle #22.

Bighani was later adopted by Filipino-owned vegetable firm Allied Botanical Corp. (ABC) and was named after its sweet corn breed Bighani Super Sweet Corn FI.

ABC has signed a memorandum of agreement with PEF promising to support Bighani’s upkeep for six years, or the point of maturity when he will be strong enough to be released back into the wild. The agribusiness firm has provided a cash grant of P750,000 (P125,000 per year) for the food and veterinary care of the bird.

ABC has also committed to support PEF’s wildlife conservation programs. The firm may also use photographs, graphic icons, and footage of its adopted eagle for the its international and external communications program.

If Bighani dies prematurely, PEF will adopt another eagle for the continuity of the adoption.

The monkey-eating eagle, a national symbol, is one of the country’s most endangered bird species.