Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Philippine eagles found in Midsalip

MIDSALIP, Zambosur: Wikipedia is right, the Philippine eagle, also known as the monkey-eating eagle, is critically endangered, mainly due to massive loss of habitat due to deforestation in most of its range.

Though endemic to our country, the Philippine eagle may soon no longer be found in the wild, unless direct intervention is taken.

The largest number of eagles resides on Mindanao, while two pairs can be found in the most isolated barangay here, said Mayor Liwaya A. Paras.

They even named the parent eagles Duweldo and Dyan and their eaglet, Jimrix.

Paras said another eagle, recovering from an injury, was found in Brgy. Pili and is being taken cared by DENR workers for the while.

Paras disclosed that Dakayakan officials, in doing their part in protecting the diminishing numbers of the Philippine eagles, drafted an ordinance declaring their village as critically protected habitat.

The Sangguniang Bayan also issued a resolution declaring the whole of Sitio Mt. Maragang an eco-tourism park and a critical habitat of the Philippine eagle in Dakayakan.

It can be learned that Philippine eagles are threatened primarily by deforestation through logging and expanding agriculture as well as poaching.

Paras said they have such local ordinances strictly prohibiting any person from entering the premises of Mt. Maragang to preserve the dying out species.

The presence of the eagles in Dakayakan and Pili is a sign that woodlands still exist and thrive in the area, the mayor added, saying she too went to the area to see the eagles.

Seeing them stretch out their wings and fly thrills you from the stress of hiking for an hour just to see them, she ended. (WITH REPORTS FROM GIDEON CORGUE)