Kabugao, Apayao – After nearly a month since it was rescued, the critically endangered Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi), has been successfully released back into the wild in its home forest mountain here on Friday, April 12, 2024.

Named Nariha Kabugao, the eagle was rescued last March 19 from a farmer in Barangay Bulu in Kabugao by representatives of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Local Government Unit of Apayao Province and Kabugao, the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) and concerned citizens.

The rescued raptor was later found, upon medical examination, to have three air gun pellets embedded in its skin, indicating that the bird had been shot several times in the past. This could have weakened the bird, eventually leading it to seek an easy meal and resulting in its entrapment.

After almost a month of rehabilitation, the eagle was released with a GPS tracker to monitor its flight path and movements in the forests, as well as to triangulate potential nest locations.

“The release of the Philippine Eagle in Apayao, named after the town where it was rescued, is very significant as many of us who grew up learning about the Philippine eagle as the monkey-eating eagle, whose majority of the population is found in Mindanao. But years later, it's good to finally discover that the same is found in Luzon, not anywhere in Luzon, but in the Cordilleras, here in the province of Apayao,” said Paquito T. Moreno Jr., Regional Executive Director of the DENR.  

Moreno added that the challenge for the people is to ensure that the Philippine Eagle has a home in the area’s mountainous region. 

“Whether the bird is a migrant or homegrown, the challenge for us now is not just to preserve the Philippine eagle as a species, but to preserve genetic diversity or the flora and fauna surrounding it,” said Moreno.

Addressing the issue of the air gun pellets found in its body, he calls on everyone to let the bird live undisturbed, citing Republic Act number 9147, or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protect Act, and the Presidential Decree number 705, or the Revised Forest Recode of the Philippines, which prohibit the gathering and destruction of wildlife resources. 

“These acts include killing and destroying wildlife species, inflicting injury which would cripple and/or impair the reproductive system of wildlife species and affecting destruction of critical habitats. We will keep an eye on would-be violators of these laws so they can be punished,” he said. 

PEF Executive Director Dennis I. Salvador pointed out that Apayao is one of the places in the country that holds large natural areas and provides a habitat to our national bird. 

“Two decades ago, it wasn't even known that the species existed in the Cordilleras. Even our scientists believed that this bird doesn't exist here.  But Apayao proved them wrong.  Because we treasure this heritage, we have returned Nariha to where she belongs. Hopefully, she finds her family and bears more eagles. And more importantly, we pray that this never happens again,” said Salvador.  

Kabugao Vice Mayor Fabulous Tucjang expressed his apologies for finding out that the eagle had airgun bullets within its body. 

“Sorry because we found bullets in the body of Nariha, and with this incident, we are planning to craft an ordinance prohibiting this form of hunting activities that will endanger our environment and our species. Our Philippine eagles are considered critical, and we are so blessed that they consider this place as their habitat, we are very fortunate and lucky to have them,” said Tucjang. 

Tucjang added that by taking care of the environment and the habitat of the eagle it will attract visitors and tourists who can help the town grow in a more sustainable ecotourism venture. 

“With our ecosystem, we can offer our visitors something unique and with such activity, it will help our town’s economic opportunities grow,” said Tucjang.        

According to the data provided by PEF, Nariha Kabugao is the second Philippine eagle released in Apayao with PH eagle Ingagan in 2017.  Historical records and sightings indicate five known PH eagle territories in the entire province of Apayao.

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