Philippine eagle 'Uswag' possibly drowned due to constant rains, winds, says field biologist

A male Philippine eagle named "Uswag" was found lifeless in the waters off Ponson Island in Pilar, Cebu, the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) said on Monday, with his cause of death reported to be accidental drowning.

On Tuesday's "Kuya Kim Ano Na?" on "24 Oras," Rowell Taraya, a field biologist at the PEF, said they are looking at the possibility of accidental drowning due to the constant rains and winds lately.
 
"We're looking on that possibility also na dahil dun sa constant 'yung hangin tsaka maulan kasi they need thermals to fly. These thermals exist in terrains, mountain, lands. 'Yung Philippine eagle, di sila nagfa-flap, so, kung mag-flap sila, energy consuming hanggang wala siyang makitang perch," explained Taraya.

Uswag was rescued on Mt. Apo in the past year and was released in the forests of Burauen, Leyte, alongside another Philippine eagle in June this year.

Taraya said it was the first time the PEF had a Philippine eagle transfer from Mindanao to another island, specifically Leyte.

However, the PEF was alarmed when the GPS readings of Uswag's transmitter showed that he was at sea on July 30.

Their search and recovery operation led them to Brgy. Cawit in Pilar, Cebu, where they found Uswag's carcass floating in the waters on Aug. 3.

"Nung nadatnan natin nasa post-mortem stage na siya, so decomposing na, so estimated based sa necropsy nasa mga four to five days na siyang naaagnas," said Taraya.

The field biologist added they are mourning the sudden loss of Uswag and emphasized the need to identify which areas are hazardous for Philippine eagles.

"Kailangan nating ma-identify ‘yung mga areas which is hazardous. Madaling gawin is to inform also the coastal areas, consider them as partners also kung saan sila mapadpad alam din ng mga fisherman," he said.

According to the PEF's records, Uswag is the ninth case where a Philippine eagle had crashed accidentally at sea.

Aside from Uswag, however, only one other eagle had died from drowning after accidentally crash landing at sea, while the other seven survived upon rescue. This other Philippine eagle, called "Maasim III," washed ashore and was already lifeless when it was found by fisherfolk in Sarangani Province in September 2022.

The first-ever documented case of a Philippine eagle crashing accidentally at sea was recorded in 1984 in Dawan, Mati, Davao Oriental.

— CDC, GMA Integrated News