20 RP eagles up for adoption

DAVAO CITY, Philippines  – At least 20 Philippine Eagles are up for “adoption” at the Philippine Eagle Center here.

The 20 eagles are among the 35 giant raptors that are currently kept at the Malagos Center.

According to Tatit Quiblat, spokesperson of the non-profit Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) that runs the Malagos Center, of the 20 eagles up for adoption, five are captive-bred and 15 came from the wild.

Quiblat said at least P100,000 is needed for the upkeep of one eagle for a year.

While the PEF works for the protection of the eagles, their habitats and populations in the wild, Quiblat said the eagles that are kept at the Malagos Center provide opportunities for accelerated breeding programs, research and education.

The center has implemented the captive-breeding program since 1990 that produced celebrity birds such as Pag-asa and Pagkakaisa.

The Fraternal Order of Eagles (Davao City) chapter, on the other hand, became the latest to adopt an eagle at the center.

Members of the Eagles Club adopted captive-bred eagle “Mindanao” and promised to spend for the food and maintenance of the bird.

Quiblat said the country’s national bird also takes center stage in this year’s celebration of the Kadayawan Festival as the Malagos Center would showcase attractions that would further educate the public about the giant raptor.

The Philippine eagle has also become a symbol of Davao City since it has its habitat in the forested areas of the city.

The Kadayawan festival, on the other hand, kicked off yesterday, marking the start of weeklong festivities that feature the tribal culture of the populace and bountiful harvest.

Quiblat said visitors to the Malagos Center can get close to wildlife under the Animal Encounter program showcasing white-bellied sea eagles, scops owls, and hawk eagles.

Young children will also get a chance to pet smaller animals at the Petting Zoo featuring rabbits and guinea pigs.

Visitors are also urged to plant a tree of hope at P100 each that would be used for a PEF reforestation project in Arakan Valley in Cotabato which is also an eagle habitat.