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Philippine Eagle Center in Davao mulls relocation to protect birds from avian flu

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<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt=" Photo courtesy of the Philippine Eagle Foundation" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2022/news/05/31/philippine-eagle-foundation.jpg"/><figcaption>Photo courtesy of the Philippine Eagle Foundation</figcaption></figure></div><p>DAVAO CITY — The Philippine Eagle Foundation said on Monday that it is eyeing to transfer its center to a new and bigger location here, a move to protect the critically-endangered national birds from diseases and infections such as the avian flu.</p><p>Andi Baldonado, PEF development manager, said they have identified the 50-hectare city government-owned land in Barangay Eden as the new home of the Philippine Eagle. The area is larger compared to the current 8.4 hectares land in Barangay Malagos.</p><p>&quot;Sa Malagos kasi, there are more and more game farms around the center. Meaning, marami nang mga manok at kung anu-anong mga other animals that are within the residence of the area. So, this makes the Malagos area susceptible to an infection. Hindi na po talaga siya ideal for long-term plans ng Philippine eagle conservation like breeding,&quot; she said.</p><p>The eagles are exposed to farm and residential activities around the area since its existing location has no buffer area.</p><p>At the height of the detection of Avian Influenza H5N1 cases in some parts of Sultan Kudarat, Cotabato, and Davao del Sur last April, PEF intensified its biosecurity measures.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/04/22/magsaysay-town-in-davao-del-sur-confirms-case-of-avian-flu">Magsaysay town in Davao del Sur confirms case of avian flu</a></li></ul><p>Only the keepers were allowed to access the Philippine eagle and they go through strict measures such as showering and changing scrubs, whenever they come in contact with the eagles.</p><p>A one-day closure was also implemented in April during the simulation activity to prepare for possible lockdown if a bird flu case is detected in Davao City.</p><p>&quot;A single case of avian flu in the center can potentially wipe out all 34 Philippine Eagles that we have right now. That&#x27;s why we have been staying on standby for a possible lockdown again if ever there&#x27;s a case that will be detected in Davao City because we cannot risk having avian flu in the only captive breeding facility for the Philippine Eagle,&quot; Baldonado said.</p><p>However, PEF needs P56 million for the new Philippine Eagle site to develop enclosures, hospitals for philippine eagle, and others.</p><p>&quot;We hope to get support from the government. But other than that, we are also going to engage our corporate partners, donors. So we will do a fundraising drive talaga for this kasi it&#x27;s a very big amount of money,&quot; Baldonado said.</p><p>Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Philippine Eagle Center was able to rescue 12 injured and found eagles.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/20/22/nailigtas-na-philippine-eagle-nai-turn-over-na">Nailigtas na Philippine eagle, nai-turn over na sa PH eagle center</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/06/21/29th-philippine-eagle-hatches-in-davao-city-center">29th Philippine Eagle hatches in Davao City center</a></li></ul><p>The PEF is preparing for the Philippine Eagle Week on June 4 to 10, which is a nationwide celebration in commemoration of the conservation of the national bird.</p><p>The foundation will conduct an exhibit in a mall in Davao City and will intensify their campaign on the protection of the bird.</p><p>The Philippine Eagle is threatened, among others, by deforestation, hunting, and shooting.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/10/21/denr-suspends-tree-cutting-at-philippine-eagle-nesting-site">DENR suspends cutting of trees at Philippine Eagle nesting site</a></li></ul><p>&quot;Even if we continue to release eagles, we find that they are still continually being trapped or shot. Actually, 1 in every 3 birds that are admitted in the center has a gunshot wound or mayroong pellet embedded in its body,&quot; Baldonado said.</p><p>The Philippine Eagle is listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) with an estimated number of only 400 pairs left in the wild.</p><div><strong>- report from Hernel Tocmo</strong></div><div><strong> FROM THE ARCHIVE</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=2058872" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more News on <a href="https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news" target="_blank">iWantTFC</a></div><div> </div>

The Philippine Eagle Foundation is eyeing to transfer its center to a new and bigger location in Davao City, a move to protect the critically-endangered national birds from diseases and infections such as the avian flu.