A Philippine eagle that was rescued at the Bagalbal forest in Bukidnon had to have its injured wing amputated.

The forest sits in the Mt. Kalatungan Range Natural Park in Valencia City.

The Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) received a report on August 31, 2024 that the eagle weighing 3.1 kilos was rescued by Bantay Lasang Volunteers.

The eagle was found to be a male and is around six to seven months old.

PEF said members of the Bantay Lasang Volunteers spotted the eagle perched on a tree while they were doing foot patrol.

The rescue team then brought the bird to a veterinary clinic for emergency treatment of the open wound in the bird’s left wing.

PEF said the eagle may have been injured one to two days before it was found, based on the appearance of the wound. It also looked dehydrated.

The PEF team brought the bird to Davao City for further examination and treatment. The PEF veterinary consultants decided to amputate the eagle’s wing as the wound reportedly was at a critical stage.

X-ray results showed that the bones of the left wing were broken and shattered, but no bullets or foreign objects were detected.

“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,” PEF said.

The surgery was successful and once positive signs of recovery are seen, the eagle will be transferred to the quarantine facility of the Philippine Eagle Center in Malagos, Davao City.

The Community Environment and Natural Resources Office-Department of Environment and Natural Resources (CENRO-DENR) in Valencia and Mt. Kalatungan PAMO teams are already investigating the incident.

A probe team involving the police and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is also mulled.