Farmer finds baby eagle-owl in Kidapawan City

An unidentified village official of Barangay Birada, Kidapawan City, turned over to the authorities two baby Philippine eagle owls that were found near a forest reserve at least 5 km away from the foot of Mount Apo, the Philippines' highest peak, Monday morning.

 

Jeff Revilla of the city’s 911 service said he was approached by the farmer to hand over the two chicks.

 

Revilla said the baby birds seemed healthy and active, sounding off as if looking for their mother. He said the farmer may have found the chicks while their mother was off searching for food.

 

Dr. Eugene Gornez, the city veterinarian, said the birds need thorough care for them to survive without their mother.

 

Dr. Gornez could not ascertain the age of the eaglets, however.

 

Gornez said if these birds survive while in captivity, they will be set free in the wild as soon as they are able to fend for themselves.

 

In June, two Philippine Eaglets were also found by a farmer in Barangay Nuangan, Kidapawan City.

 

The eagles are still in the custody of the city government, and their release into the wild is still being pondered by local environment authorities.

 

Similar birds were also found in the town of Makilala, Magpet and Arakan in North Cotabato. — Wilmor Magbanua/TJD, GMA News