CEBU, Philippines — A Philippine serpent eagle with a shoestring tied on the bird’s right leg was rescued in the City of Naga in Metro Cebu.
The eagle was found on the roof of Tomasa Repollo’s house on Sunday.
Repollo and Rochelee Denotol, both residents of Sitio Suba, Barangay Tuyan, turned over the bird to the City Environment and Natural Resources (CENRO) Monday morning.
Wynser Pañoso, environment management specialist of CENRO in Naga, said the eagle was being kept by someone, but was able to escape.
Republic Act 9147 (The Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act) prohibits keeping a serpent eagle as a household pet.
The eagle, Pañoso, is in good condition. Authorities are yet to determine the gender of the bird.
“Although, eagles are listed as least concern species by BirdLife International, they are also threatened due to habitat loss,” reads the Facebook post of the Naga City government.
Serpent eagles are found in Luzon and in Mindanao, except in Palawan. They are usually found in forest clearings, open woodlands and sometimes in cultivated land with escattered trees. — KQD (FREEMAN)