PH eagle rescued in Bukidnon dies

Sawaga-Dalwangan, the Philippine eagle rescued in Bukidnon, has died while undergoing rehabilitation, the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) announced Saturday.

“It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of Philippine Eagle Sawaga-Dalwangan while undergoing rehabilitation at the Philippine Eagle Center,” the PEF said in a statement.

Sawaga-Dalwangan, estimated to be a young adult female, was rescued by a local farmer from a troop of more than 30 monkeys in Barangay Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, on July 3.

According to the PEF, Sawaga-Dalwangan suddenly experienced seizures on Saturday morning and died shortly afterward despite immediate emergency intervention.

The PEF said the necropsy revealed abnormalities in Sawaga-Dalwangan’s heart, liver, and stomach. However, her cause of death remains under further investigation.

“The initial examination found no evidence of new external trauma or internal bleeding,” the PEF said.

“However, the veterinarians observed that her heart was thickened and unusually firm, her liver was enlarged, and her stomach was greatly enlarged and contained a large amount of compacted prey fur,” it added.

The PEF said these findings do not yet establish the eagle’s cause of death, adding that tissue samples from her organs are still being examined in a laboratory.

A consolidated report on her death will be released once all test results are finalized.

“We share the grief of everyone who followed her journey and hoped for her recovery. Sawaga-Dalwangan’s rescue was not in vain, and the lessons from her case will help improve the care of other Philippine eagles,” the PEF said.

“We are deeply grateful to the Daraghuyan community, rescuer Marven Linoy and his companions, DENR, the Malaybalay City Government, the Provincial Zoo, the veterinary teams, and all partners who helped rescue and care for her,” it added. —VAL/VBL, GMA News