Injured Philippine eagle’s wing amputated after rescue in Bukidnon

A young Philippine eagle found with a severe injury to its left wing had to have it amputated, the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) reported Wednesday.

In a statement, PEF said it received a report on August 31 that a juvenile male eagle was found wounded and with a broken wing in Bagalbal forest of the Mt. Kalatungan Range Natural Park in Valencia City.

It was estimated that the eagle, named Kalatungan II, is six to seven months old and “has just begun flying out of its nest and is still learning how to fly long distances” at this age. The bird was found in the forest by the Bantay Lasang Volunteers, who heard it "making loud calls, apparently begging for food from its parents."

“The wound and shattered wing bone might suggest a hard fall accident as the young eagle is still starting to learn how to fly. However, the multiple fracture wound strongly suggests blunt force trauma caused by shooting too,” the PEF said.

It added that the eagle was injured one to two days before it was found and appeared to be dehydrated and emaciated.

After it was rescued, authorities found that the eagle's crop was also empty, which suggests that it was starving.

The eagle’s injured wing was amputated as it showed necrosis, or death of body tissue, and the risk of sepsis.

“X-ray results confirmed that the bones of the left wing were broken and shattered. However, no bullets, pellets or foreign objects were detected,” PEF said.

A parasite was also found in the eagle’s wing, it added.

Once it shows positive signs of recovery, the eagle will be transferred to the Philippine Eagle Center quarantine facility in Malagos, Davao City.

Community Environment and Natural Resources Office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and Mt. Kalatungan Protected Area Management Office is probing into the incident.

They are also planning to work with the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine National Police in the investigation.

In a text message, PEF said the eagle will be in their permanent care as "it cannot thrive in the wild due to the loss of one of its wings."

"The bird will most likely participate in our conservation breeding program when it reaches the age of sexual maturity," the foundation said.

The Philippine eagle is classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, with only about 400 pairs remaining in the wild. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/BM/RF, GMA Integrated News