(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
TACLOBAN CITY – Three more Philippine Eagles have been transported from Davao City to Burauen, Leyte, as part of an ongoing reintroduction program aimed at increasing the population of the country’s largest and critically endangered raptor in the province.
The three eagles, named as Lakpue, Lyra Sinabadan, and Kalatungan I, will join Carlito in repopulating the dense forests of the Leyte Mountain Range, one of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-designated natural breeding sites for the Philippine Eagle.
To ensure their survival, the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) has developed a modified soft release technique after the unfortunate loss of Uswag, one of the first eagles released in Kagbana village in December 2024. Uswag strayed too far from the release site and drowned at sea.
During the turnover ceremony on March 21, 2025, at the Mahagnao Volcano Natural Park, DENR-8 Regional Executive Director Arturo Salazar emphasized the crucial role of forest protection in the survival of the species.
“Its survival depends on the protection of our forests, and every effort we make to conserve this species is a direct investment in preserving the delicate balance of life,” Salazar said.
The three eagles have been brought to Kagbana village for a three-month acclimation period to familiarize themselves with their new environment before being released into the wild.
According to the PEF, the three birds will play key roles in the repopulation efforts with Lakpue (male) will be introduced as a potential mate for Carlito;
Lyra Sinabadan (female) and Kalatungan I (immature male) will form a cohort bond, living together without mating. However, as Kalatungan I matures, their relationship may evolve into a mating partnership.
The PEF aims to release 16 eagles in the Anonang-Lobi Mountain Range to help restore the Philippine Eagle population in Leyte’s forests.
Currently, there are only about 400 pairs of Philippine Eagles remaining in the wild, making them critically endangered, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
With continued conservation efforts, Leyte could soon become a stronghold for the survival of the country’s national bird.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
