Phl eagle spotted in Samar

MANILA, Philippines - Conservationists have spotted a Philippine eagle in the forests of Samar Island, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said yesterday.

“These sightings only show that the Philippine eagle still has a chance to survive in its natural habitat and the forests of Samar Island provide a safe haven for the bird,” DENR Secretary Ramon Paje said in a statement.

The raptor was spotted twice in two weeks by members of the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) and Institute of Biology of the University of the Philippines-Diliman (UP) during an expedition at the Samar Island Natural Park (SINP) from Sept. 19 to Oct. 4.

The first sighting occurred in the village of Buluan in Calbiga town, while the second was within the Taft Forest Wildlife Sanctuary in Eastern Samar. It has yet to be verified if two different eagles were seen.

After the sightings, DENR Region 8 director Leonardo Sibbaluca urged the people of Samar to help protect the remaining forests of Eastern Visayas.

“Let us be proud of the presence of the Philippine eagle in our place because this indicates that we have a rich and ecologically balanced forest,” Sibbaluca said.

The PEF and the team from UP have been conducting research and observation in the area following the rescue of a wounded Philippine eagle in 2011 and other reported sightings.

Giovanne Tampos of PEF said they intended to check on the status of the eagle.

The DENR said the areas where the eagles were spotted, particularly the SINP, have been declared as protected areas to preserve rare bird species and prevent loss of their habitat.

The Philippine eagle is known to be geographically restricted to the islands of Luzon, Samar, Leyte and Mindanao. It was first seen in Paranas town, Samar in 1896 by British naturalist John Whitehead. Further sightings were reported in 1997, 2011 and 2013.