Priest saves, turns over sea eagle to DENR

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — The parish priest of Zamboanguita town in Negros Oriental on Tuesday handed over to the DENR a red-backed sea eagle, known as brahminy kite (Haliastur indus), which he earlier bought from some people to save the animal from being consumed by them.

Father Jay Enriquez told The Freeman that on Saturday, while celebrating Mass at the sub-village of Maglinte during its fiesta celebration, he chanced upon the eagle, commonly known in the dialect as banog, which he said some people wanted to eat.

Upon the priest's request, DENR provincial personnel, Noel Ebrole and Reuben Songco, motored to the Zamboanguita parish convent to retrieve the eagle and transport it to the agency's Wildlife Rescue Center in the outskirts barangay of Camanjac in Dumaguete City.

The DENR personnel said the eagle will have to be inspected for injuries and possibly kept in captivity for a few weeks until it is strong enough to be released to the wilds, most likely at the Twin Lakes of  Balinsasayao in Sibulan or in Polo, Tanjay City, all in Negros Oriental, where the species is abundant.

Initial physical inspection showed the eagle's wings and tail were clipped, apparently to prevent it from flight, while one of its talons was pulled out, said Ebrole, community development assistant of the DENR's Protected Areas and Wildlife Sector  and Coastal Marine Management Sector.

The brahminy kite is quite common in the Philippines and is found in the wilds, but it usually does not survive in captivity, according to Ebrole.

Although not listed as endangered or vulnerable under the DENR's national list of threatened Philippine plants and other wildlife species, this kite species is still covered by the law against unlawful captivity unless authorized with corresponding permits by the DENR, Ebrole added.

The DENR personnel thanked the priest for his concern of the eagle's welfare, saying there is a need for more awareness from the public in the protection and conservation of wildlife in the Philippines. — (FREEMAN)