Securing Our Future: Riley’s Passing Renews Call to Save the Philippine Eagle

Riley, a young Philippine eagle, inspired conservation awareness before passing in April 2025 at the National Bird Breeding Sanctuary in Davao City. (Photo courtesy of PEF)

The Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) is mourning the loss of Riley, a young Philippine eagle that died at the National Bird Breeding Sanctuary in Davao City, a reminder that securing our future means protecting the country’s critically endangered national bird before it is too late.

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The Philippine eagle is on the verge of extinction due to a number of issues, including habitat degradation, poaching, and pollution. It is one of the world’s largest and most impressive raptors. With a wingspan of up to 7 feet and a weight of up to 14 pounds, it is a formidable predator that deserves respect and admiration. It is also a source of national pride and an integral part of the country’s cultural heritage. Despite its iconic position, the Philippine Eagle is in imminent danger of extinction.

Our eagles, forests, and children’s futures are all closely interwoven. Saving the Philippine eagle involves safeguarding the future generation of Filipinos.

Be inspired by how communities across Luzon and Mindanao help save the Philippine eagle

PHILIPPINE EAGLE FOUNDATION MOURNS THE PASSING OF RILEY

Riley, a young Philippine eagle, died on April 15, 2025, at the National Bird Breeding Sanctuary in Davao City.

Although the facility is not open to the public, Riley has impacted many people’s lives through the Foundation’s social media, serving as a beacon of hope for eagle conservation.

Riley’s right wing drooped on April 12, and the bird appeared to be in agony. X-rays revealed fractures in Riley’s wing joint, which were most likely caused by an underlying bone disease that made his bones abnormally weak.

Despite intense therapy and supportive care, the eagle’s health deteriorated. Riley suffered from breathing problems and inflammation and died three days later. A necropsy confirmed the results of metabolic bone disease and possibly an infection, indicating a weakened immune system.

Riley was cared for using the same protocols as other healthy eagles, but his situation spurred the Foundation to examine and reinforce its health and nutrition programs to avoid similar incidents in the future.

Discover hope for our national bird in the story of a new family of endangered Philippine eagles found in Davao Oriental

Philippine Eagle’s History and Ongoing Battle for Survival

The Philippine eagle, the nation’s iconic raptor, is endemic to four islands—Luzon, Samar, Leyte, and Mindanao—and is recognized as one of the most powerful forest birds in the world, as documented by SIBOL (Sustainable Initiatives for Biodiversity, Ocean, and Land) in its feature “Stronger Riley on the Way.”

According to the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the species is classified as critically endangered, with only about 400 breeding pairs left in the wild. GMA Integrated News journalist Mariel Celine Serquiña has also reported that deforestation and hunting are the leading causes of its decline. The PEF adds that habitat loss from upland farming and forest encroachment is forcing eagles away from traditional hunting grounds and into human communities, where they often prey on livestock—creating further risks for both people and the endangered bird.

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Conservation That Protects Eagles and Empowers Communities

Jayson Ibanez, Research and Conservation Director of the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF), leads a community-driven program that safeguards the critically endangered Philippine eagle while improving lives in Mindanao. As highlighted by SIBOL in the article “Stronger Riley on the Way,” Ibanez pioneered the establishment of Local Conservation Areas covering 500 square kilometers of eagle habitat.

This initiative employs 350 indigenous forest guards to protect nesting sites and prevent hunting, while more than 450 households benefit from sustainable livelihoods, access to clean water, health care, and education. By combining biodiversity protection with poverty alleviation, Ibanez’s holistic approach has gained international recognition, earning him the 2015 Whitley Award and 2017 Continuation Funding.

The Philippine Eagle Foundation continues to expand its work through research, conservation breeding, education, and community partnerships—programs that not only protect the eagle but also ensure a future where local people and forests thrive together.

Celebrate conservation wins with the story of a rescued Philippine eagle released back to the wilderness on Earth Day

PEF expressed its gratitude to those who watched Riley’s journey, as well as the personnel who cared for the juvenile eagle. Riley’s brief life served as a reminder of the value of every eagle and the significance of continuing conservation efforts.

Riley’s legacy will guide fresh attempts to safeguard the species and secure a better future for the Philippine eagle.

Learn how community efforts are strengthened through Philippine eagle protection, aided by DMCI Homes

Why Saving the Philippine Eagle Secures Our Future

The future of the Philippine eagle, the forests it inhabits, and the generations of Filipinos who depend on these ecosystems are deeply interconnected. As highlighted by SIBOL (Sustainable Initiatives for Biodiversity, Ocean, and Land) in its article “Stronger Riley on the Way,” saving the eagle also means safeguarding the environment that sustains life and future generations.

A thriving eagle population signals a thriving forest—an ecosystem capable of balancing species naturally and sheltering countless other life forms. Found only in the Philippines, the bird’s survival is tied to the nation’s cultural identity and ecological stability. The Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) further notes that conserving eagle habitats creates biodiversity-friendly livelihood opportunities, providing upland families with income, clean water, and sustainable resources. For many indigenous groups, the Philippine eagle is more than wildlife; it is part of oral history, traditions, and cultural heritage.

Discover how a Mindanao Philippine eagle was adopted by Cebu Pacific, strengthening efforts to save the national bird.

The extinction of the species would also result in the loss of the world’s valuable biological heritage. Ensuring the safety of the Philippine eagle population in upland areas might result in an additional source of income for marginalized people who share the forest with the eagles as part of our biodiversity-friendly projects. These projects are financed to help boost conservation efforts in places where Philippine Eagles live. Conservation activities have a favorable cultural impact on many indigenous communities in the uplands. The Philippine eagle appears in the oral histories and other cultural artifacts of various indigenous communities around the country. This suggests that it plays a role in the human creation of distinct cultures.

Through a call to action for research and by combining the methodologies of knowledge, we can make a significant difference in how we execute the solutions proposed by the Philippine Eagle Foundation, benefiting local communities and various organizations.

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