Trapped Philippine serpent eagle rescued in Kidapawan, North Cotabato

A trapped Philippine serpent eagle was rescued by personnel of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in Kidapawan, North Cotabato.

According to Kuya Kim Atienza's report on "24 Oras" Wednesday, Joy Catequista and her colleagues were jogging when they heard the flapping of wings near a BJMP material recovery facility.

"Parang pagaspas ng ibon. Nung tiningnan namin dito sa may left side, may na-trap na ibon. Iba 'yung feature ng mukha niya, parang eagle," said Catequista, one of the rescuers.

Catequista surmised that the Philippine serpent eagle had been there for a while. It did not have any wounds, but it was weakened.

They were able to rescue the eagle and turn it over to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

"Siguro may kinuha na prey t'as di na niya alam pano lumabas. Nanghihina siya t'as hinihingal siya," she said.

"'Yung ibon po is nasa custody na po ng DENR tapos 'pag naka-recover na sya i-release na po siya back to the wild."

According to Kuya Kim, a Philippine serpent eagle is a medium-sized raptor endemic to the islands of the Philippines, except in Palawan. It is brown with white spots and striking yellow eyes.

"Mula rin sa kanyang pangalan ay isang uri ng agila na kumakain ng mga ahas, ng mga palaka, ng mga maliliit na hayop tulad na rin ng mga daga," explained Jelaine Gan, a wildlife biologist.

The Philippine serpent eagle is currently in the "Least Concern" category of the IUCN Red List. Nevertheless, they still must be cared for and protected.

"Ang Philippine serpent eagle ay protected sa ating batas, ito ang RA 9147 o ang Wildlife Act. Pinagbabawal po ang paghuli o pag-alaga," Gan added.

Meanwhile, an Eastern grass owl was rescued by a resident in a rice field in Lamlahak, Lake Sebu.

Per Kuya Kim, the owl was turned over to the DENR Soccsksargen. Experts discovered a wound on its left wing, which they believe was hit by a slingshot.

The owl received treatment before being turned over to the DENR Wildlife Rescue Center in Sultan Kudarat. —CDC, GMA News