Wounded Philippine eagle dies

NORTH COTABATO – Veterinarians failed to save the life of an endangered Philippine eagle shot and wounded last week by a still unidentified hunter in Magpet town in the province.  

Andrew Patricio, provincial chief of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, said the eagle, which they turned over to the raptor sanctuary of the Philippine Eagle Foundation in Davao City over the weekend, succumbed to three pellet wounds.

“The eagle was shot with an airgun,” Patricio said.

He said veterinarians at the eagle center in Davao City tried their best to save the bird's life.

The wounded Philippine eagle, (Pithecophaga jefferyi), was found so weak and disoriented under forest trees in Barangay Amabel in Magpet last week by a farmer named Joven Amacin.

Amacin immediately turned over the eagle to the Magpet local government unit which, in turn, facilitated its transport to the office of Patricio in Kidapawan City.

Senior Inspector Reilan Mamon, Magpet’s municipal police chief, said barangay officials are now helping investigate on who could have shot the eagle, which resulted to its death.

Magpet is located at the foot of Mt. Apo, the country’s highest peak, which teems with rainforests and wild animals, such as the rare Philippine eagles and other bird species.