Local farmer rescues wounded PH eagle from troop of monkeys in Bukidnon

A local farmer rescued a Philippine eagle from a troop of more than 30 monkeys in Bukidnon on July 3, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Northern Mindanao.

The DENR said it received a report from Merly Suday of the Inanding Tribal Multipurpose Cooperative about the rescued eagle, which was found along the Cabanbangan-Sawaga River in Barangay Dalwangan, Malaybalay City.

According to the city government website, Dalwangan is a largely agricultural village on the foothills of the Mount Kitanglad Range, about 12 kilometers northwest of Malaybalay City's urban center, with a landscape of rolling hills, forests, valleys, and rivers that provides habitat for diverse wildlife, including the critically endangered Philippine eagle.

Suday said Marven Linoy had gone to the area to pick passion fruit when he came across more than 30 monkeys attacking the bird.

"As he approached, he saw more than 30 monkeys aggressively attacking something. At first, he thought it was just a wild chicken (kalasanon nga manok). To scare the monkeys away, he barked like a dog, shouting, 'Arf! Arf!' The monkeys became frightened and scattered," Suday said in a Facebook post on Monday.

She said Linoy was shocked to discover that the animal being attacked was a Philippine eagle.

"When Marven moved closer, he was shocked to discover that it was actually a Philippine eagle lying on the ground. The eagle was covered with soil and its body was trembling," she said.

"He didn't know what to do at first. He thought about leaving to call for help, but he was afraid that if he left, the eagle might die before anyone could return. Instead, he stayed with the eagle," Suday added.

The DENR said the bird was later transported to Sitio Kubayan in Barangay Kibenton, Impasug-ong.

"Upon arrival, the eagle was found safely secured inside the rescuer's residence. With the assistance of the Kitanglad Guard Volunteers, onlookers were respectfully dispersed to minimize stress on the bird, allowing wildlife responders to safely restrain and conduct an initial assessment," the agency said.

A team from the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) then conducted a physical examination of the bird.

"The eagle weighed 5.57 kilograms and was estimated to be a young adult female, approximately 5 to 10 years old," the DENR said.

"Further examination revealed multiple wounds beneath its wings, several of which contained small maggots, indicating that the injuries had been sustained for some time. The wounds were thoroughly cleaned, disinfected, treated with wound spray, and the eagle was given pain medication to stabilize its condition," it added.

According to the DENR, experts initially believed the eagle had been stranded on the ground for some time, possibly after struggling to free itself from a trap or restraint.

The agency said the eagle was later turned over to the Philippine Eagle Foundation for transport to Davao City, where it will receive further treatment and rehabilitation.

According to the Inanding Tribal Multipurpose Cooperative, the rescued eagle is now eating well.— MCG, GMA News