New Phl Eagle hatched in Zambo del Norte

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) announced yesterday the birth of a new Philippine Eagle “Atbalin,” the fourth eaglet hatched in the forest of Baliguian in Zamboanga del Norte.

“We are very happy on hearing the news that a new Philippine Eagle was hatched in the wild. This only shows that the province still has a very good forest cover, and I thank the people of Zamboanga del Norte for having taken good care of their natural resources,” Environment Secretary Ramon Paje said.

In a report to Paje by the Regional Eagle Watch Team of DENR-Region 9, the young Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) was hatched on a nest atop a tree in Barangay Linay on Dec. 17 last year.

The name Atbalin (acronym for attraction for Barangay Linay) was coined by local village officials led by barangay chairman Regin Geografia, who is also the head of the DENR-organized Community Monitoring Group.

“Atbalin’s arrival is certainly a welcome addition to the dwindling Philippine Eagle population in the country,” said Paje.

He said Barangay Linay is a natural habitat for the eagle couple Dionisio and Milia that breeds once every two years.

Paje also said the Regional Eagle Watch Team of DENR-Region 9 had reported the previous hatchlings of Dionisio and Milia and these were named Fernando, Binoni Pusaka, Mitigan and Apo Sanag.

Binoni Pusaka and Mitigan are Subanen names that mean hidden treasure and clever, respectively.

Dionisio and Milia take care of their offspring for 22 months until the eaglet is ready to leave its parents’ territory to establish a home of its own.

Described by American aviator Charles Lindbergh as “the world’s noblest flier,” the Philippine Eagle replaced the maya as the country’s national bird in 1995 by virtue of Proclamation No. 615.

The eagle is categorized as a critically endangered species or at high risk of extinction under the National List of Threatened Species and by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature for its diminishing numbers in the wild due to habitat destruction and poaching.

Through the Philippine Raptors Conservation Program of the Biodiversity Management Bureau (formerly Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau), the DENR has partnered with organizations such as the Philippine Eagle Foundation, University of the Philippines and Haribon Foundation in undertaking research, habitat conservation and in educating the public about the important role of the Philippine Eagle in maintaining the ecological balance and as a national symbol.

Part of the conservation program, which is being implemented in 11 regions nationwide, are survey and monitoring activities that aim to document the location of breeding pairs and nests in the wild.

The Philippine Eagle’s natural habitats such as Northern Sierra Madre, Mt. Kitanglad, Samar Island Natural Park and Mt. Apo have been declared as protected areas.