The Philippine Eagle: What it represents and why its preservation matters
The recent passing of Pag-asa, the first Philippine Eagle bred and hatched in captivity and a renowned figure in the country's wildlife conservation fight, saddened many filipino conservation experts. His death last Wednesday due to infections associated with trichomoniasis and aspergillosis is a crossroad to the country’s decade old efforts to save a national treasure from the brink of extinction.
Born on Jan. 15, 1992, Pag-asa became a widely known symbol of, as his name translates, hope. His successful birth through artificial insemination was the result of 14 years of research and further spurred the Philippine Eagle Foundation's breeding program of three decades to augment the national bird's population, which is frequently threatened by habitat destruction and poaching.
With this recent death of a national icon, we the north looks into the significance of the Philippine eagle in Philippine heritage and why its preservation matters.
WHAT IT REPRESENTS
The Philippine Eagle is symbolic of the Filipino's bravery and strength. The characteristics of the Philippine eagle - whose uniqueness, strength, power, and love for freedom - exemplifies the Filipino people. Through Proclamation No. 615, signed by then President Fidel V. Ramos, the Philippine eagle became the national bird, a "natural treasure found only in the Philippines," and thus, should become a source of national pride.
ON THE BRINK OF EXTINCTION
The philippine eagle is one of the rarest eagles in the world. A giant bird of prey that can only be seen in 4 islands in the Philippines- Luzon, Samar, Leyte and Mindanao. It is considered to be one of the largest and most powerful among forest raptors.
They are also listed as CRITICALLY ENDANGERED by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) which means they are "threatened with global extinction." It is estimated that there are only 400 pairs left soaring in the wild. Shooting and deforestation brings deadly consequences to the species.
The forest is the only home for the Great Philippine Eagle. It is where they obtain food, reproduce, and nourish their offspring. Unfortunately, illegal logging and irresponsible use of resources have resulted to the disappearance of their forest habitat that brings deathly consequences to the species.
At least one Philippine Eagle is killed every year because of shooting. As more of our forest is lost, Philippine Eagles go farther and farther from their usual hunting grounds in search for preys to hunt. This usually brings them towards human settlements and their livestock, which often results to conflict-with the Philippine Eagle on the losing end.
PRESERVATION EFFORTS
Due to its designation as the country's national bird, the Philippine eagle is a protected animal, as stipulated in Republic Act No. 9147, or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act of 2001. Breeding and preservation of the Philippine eagle, an endangered species, is protected by the government. Killing a Philippine eagle is punishable by up to 12 years imprisonment, as stipulated in the law.
WHY SAVE THE PHILIPPINE EAGLE?
The fate of our eagles, the forests and our children’s future are inextricably linked. Saving the Philippine Eagle means protecting the next generation of Filipinos.
1. FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
As the species on top of the food chain, the Philippine Eagle has a crucial role to play in keeping the gentle balance of the ecosystem in check. It helps naturally regulate species population and provide an umbrella of protection to all other life forms in its territory. An abundant Philippine Eagle population means signifies a healthy forest.
2. A HERITAGE
This rare and majestic bird species can be found nowhere else but in the Philippines. Losing the species to extinction would also mean the world losing a precious biological heritage.
3. LIVELIHOOD
Ensuring the safety of the Philippine Eagle population in the upland areas can result to additional source of income for the marginalized communities sharing the forest with the eagles through our biodiversity-friendly initiatives. These projects are funded to strengthen conservation efforts in areas where Philippine Eagles occur.
4. CULTURAL IMPACT
Conservation efforts also bring positive cultural outcomes to many indigenous communities in the upland areas. The Philippine Eagle is embedded in the oral histories and other cultural artifacts of several indigenous groups in the country. This indicates that it performs a role in the human production of unique cultures.