DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 5 September) — A new five-year action plan to conserve the Philippine Eagle, to be completed by year-end or earlier, will prioritize finding eagle pairs in less studied areas of Luzon and Samar, according to Jayson C. Ibañez, Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) director for operations. The plan aims to intensify efforts to protect the national bird and includes releasing eagles in Leyte, accelerating captive breeding, and preventing hunting and trapping through collaborations with the Philippine National Police and community-based campaigns. The plan also seeks to establish a “National Bird Act” for dedicated research and conservation, secure additional funding, and involve multiple agencies and stakeholders. Developed during a four-day workshop in Davao City, the plan revises an earlier version from April 2024 and involves organizations like the DENR, Mandai Nature, and IUCN. Dr. Simon Valle of IUCN emphasized the goal of creating a clear and implementable strategy by September or October. Photo: Philippine eagle ‘Carlito,’ released into the wild in Leyte, was spotted three months later. (Razl EJ Teman/MindaNews)
