Three Philippine eagles—Lakpue, Lyra Sinabadan, and Kalatungan I—were transported from the National Bird Breeding Sanctuary and the Philippine Eagle Center in Davao City to Mahagnao, Leyte, for release into the wild. The turnover ceremony took place on Friday, March 21, 2025, coinciding with International Forest Day, at Mahagnao Volcano Natural Park in Burauen town, as announced by the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF). The initiative is part of the second year of the Philippine Eagle Reintroduction Program. The eagles underwent health checks and were placed in acclimation enclosures to prepare for their eventual release. Launched in 2024, the program previously released eagles Carlito and Uswag, with Carlito adapting successfully while Uswag tragically drowned at sea. To prevent future losses, PEF is implementing a modified soft release technique based on international best practices. Lakpue, a male eagle, is a potential mate for Carlito, while Lyra Sinabadan (female) and Kalatungan I (immature male) will form a cohort bond, potentially evolving into a mating partnership as Kalatungan matures. The program aims to restore Leyte’s Philippine eagle population, nearly wiped out by Typhoon Yolanda. The eagles will undergo acclimatization before release and are part of the Philippine Eagle Bonding Experiment, a strategy to encourage natural pair bonding. The mission was supported by various local governments and organizations, including Lakpue Drug Inc., which adopted Lakpue, and Eagle Cement Corp., which adopted Lyra Sinabadan. The Philippine eagle, critically endangered by IUCN, faces threats from hunting, habitat loss, and human activities, with an estimated 400 pairs remaining in the wild. (Bong S. Sarmiento / MindaNews)
