Rescued Philippine Eagle Dies From Gunshot Wound
He was likely shot with an improvised firearm.
(SPOT.ph) Yet another Philippine Eagle's life is lost after being shot with an improvised gun. The young male eagle named “Mangayon” died on July 8 while being treated for his injuries at Davao's Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF).
A necropsy confirmed that Mangayon was otherwise healthy, with severe blood loss and probable sepsis from the gunshot wounds being the primary causes of death.
“Vets suspect that the gun wound was from an improvised jolen or marble gun that was fired while the eagle was perched,” the PEF said in a statement. “We appeal to the authorities to enforce the standing policies and laws aimed at stopping the persecution of violent eagle crimes and to strongly urge our government to exercise legal and operational mandates.”
This incident marks the PEF’s fourth eagle rescue in 2024—all had succumbed to gunshot wounds.
As of 2023, there are 392 pairs of Philippine Eagles estimated left in the world.
Also read: Philippine Eagle Sent to Singapore to Breed Dies at 19
What happened to Mangayon the Philippine Eagle?
The Philippine Army patrol found the Philippine Eagle in Barangay Mangayon, noting that it had a noticeable injury to its left wing. They called the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for assistance, who then notified the PEF.
The PEF sent a rescue team to retrieve the eagle for medical care. The eagle was named Mangayon and moved from the patrol base to the Compostela Municipal Hall, where the PEF team took over.
Upon arrival, Mangayon appeared weak, dehydrated, and underweight. Initial assessments revealed the eagle was a young male with a body thinner than is considered healthy.
Efforts to stabilize the eagle included applying antiseptic and securing the injured wing before he was transferred to Davao, where the medical facilities and experts are located. However, Mangayon's condition only worsened during the trip as he reportedly vomited several times.
Once in Davao, medical exams revealed “severe damage” with shattered bones in the left tarsal joints and a severe gunshot wound. Mangayon succumbed to his injuries at 9:49 p.m.
With another tragic death, the PEF has urgently called for more government intervention to protect the national bird.
"We need to level up our interventions, but we need to do it soon," PEF Executive Director Dennis Salvador said. “We would mostly need LGU and national government actions and investment. The civil society sector can only do so much.”
Also read: LOOK: Philippine Eagles' Aerial Courtship at Mount Apo Captured in Photos