Philippine Eagle Makilala Hiraya has been safely returned to her home forest after almost two months under the care and protection of the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF).
The foundation released today, July 29, 2020, the video documentation of the Philippine eagle on Facebook, before she was brought to their care and protection up to the day she was released in her original forest home.
Makilala Hiraya was released during the World Nature Conservation Day on July 28.
“Look at her go!” the PEF said on its Facebook post that came with a short video of releasing the huge bird into the wild. “Philippine Eagle Makilala Hiraya is finally back home. Happy World Nature Conservation Day!”
The Philippine eagle was first sighted on June 7, 2020, being chased by large-billed crows in Barangay Kesante, Makilala, North Cotabato.
The large bird was found the following day on the ground by Artemio Hemilo, Joel Arombo, and Jeofrey Rodica who turned her over to their Barangay.
With the help from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Soccsksargen (DENR-XII), the PEF retrieved the eagle for rehabilitation.
Because of the quick check-up, the bird was identified as female and around 3 to 4 years old.
The critically endangered bird species was brought to the Philippine Eagle Center in Davao for more examinations.
The female eagle was fortunately cleared and has no bone fractures and internal injuries.
Her laboratory tests result released on June 22 show that she is free from New Castle Disease Virus (NCDV) and Avian Influenza Virus (AIV)
The Philippine eagle was named “Makilala Hiraya” after the town of Makilala in North Cotabato where she was found, and the hiraya given by her benefactor Energy Development Corp. Hiraya is an ancient Filipino word that means “hopes, dreams, and aspirations.”
Amid the coronavirus disease pandemic, Dr. Miguel David De Leon of Robert S. Kennedy Bird Conservancy released his own photos of Philippines’ endemic wildlife including the Philippine eagle he described as emblematic.
In June 2019, then 15-year-old male Philippine Eagle named Geothermica and partner 17-year-old Sambisig were sent to Jurong Bird Park managed by the Wildlife Reserves Singapore for conservation.
SEND CHEERS in the comments below to the Philippine Eagle Foundation for successfully sending Makilala Hiraya back to her home forest!
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