DENR celebrates Philippine Eagle Week

MANILA, Philippines - The king of Philippine birds gets its share of the limelight as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) celebrates Philippine Eagle Week starting today.

DENR Secretary Ramon Paje said the agency’s Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau has lined up several activities that extend up to the end of the month to make Filipinos – and the rest of the world – more aware of the importance of the Philippine Eagle, once hailed by famous American aviator Charles Lindbergh as “the world’s noblest flier.”

The annual celebration, now on its 14th year, aims to “instill in everyone’s minds that the Philippine Eagle is a national heritage and an indicator of how well we are doing with our conservation efforts,” Paje said.

He said the celebration kicks off at 8 a.m. today at the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center (NAPWC) with a storytelling session entitled “Fly Malaya Fly.”

The Haribon Foundation will also showcase its Harivan, a “mobile infovan” containing various informative materials, including videos, CDs and brochures, on the Philippine Eagle.

A live Philippine Eagle named “Girlie” can be found in one of the large aviaries of the NAPWC.