First PH eagle chick in new Davao sanctuary dies after 18 days

The first Philippine eagle chick of the new National Bird Breeding Sanctuary (NBBS) in Davao City has died, according to the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) on Saturday. 

The 18-day-old male Philippine eagle passed away on November 29.

"With profound sadness, we share the passing of Chick 30, one of our most cherished Philippine Eagle hatchlings," the foundation said in a Facebook post. 

It said that the heartbreaking loss was a reminder that critically endangered species are particularly vulnerable and "how delicate chick-rearing can be."

The PEF said Chick 30, the offspring of Sinag and Pin-pin, initially displayed normal behavior and feeding patterns. 

''However, on November 26, he began exhibiting respiratory distress, including labored breathing and sneezing. Immediate interventions, such as oxygen therapy and fluid suctioning, stabilized his condition. Despite dedicated care and monitoring, the chick’s health declined, and resuscitation efforts ultimately proved unsuccessful,'' it added.

"As we mourn this loss, we also draw inspiration from the lessons learned, which will guide us in our mission to protect and recover the Philippine eagle population. We remain steadfast in our dedication to ensuring the survival of this iconic species.''

Chick 30 hatched on November 11, making it the first-ever Philippine eagle chick to hatch in the sanctuary, which only began operating in February. — Sherylin Untalan/VBL, GMA Integrated News