A Philippine eagle-owl was rescued by the Philippine Eagle Center (PEC) forest guards in San Fernando, Bukidnon.

The eagle-owl has wounds and injuries in different parts of its body when found and was brought to Central Mindanao University (CMU) College of Veterinary in Maramag town.

The wounded eagle-owl is around five years old and weighs 1.6 kilos.

As of now, it was isolated at a veterinary clinic in Davao City.

"Ang mga trauma niya sa katung hematoma sa iyang chest nga area, improving na man. And then ang wounds sa iyang anal area is nag-improve na,” Veterinarian Sheen Gadong said.

Experts said Philippine eagle-owls are endemic to the Philippines, which means they can only be found in the country.

"Ang iyahang height actually is kana lang a little over a ruler. Natural habitat niya here in the Philippines and also kung tan-awon nimo ang iyang feathers, mura siya'g Philippine Eagle. Murag similar to the Philippine Eagle pero owl siya so mao kana nga Philippine Eagle Owl ang iyang pangalan. It’s a good indicator nga maayo pa ang atong eco-system if naa sila,” Veterinarian Bayani Vandenbroeck said.

Authorities will place the eagle-owl under DNA sexing to determine its gender.

According to the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF), it was the first time for them to rescue a Philippine eagle-owl inside the facility.

The PEF added that Philippine eagle-owls are considered critically endangered species and the purpose of rescuing endangered species is to protect them against illegal hunting and deforestation.

"When we see birds nga ingon ani, first is dili unta nato hilabtan kay maka-survive ni sila on the wild ug dili man ni sila makadaot sa atoa,” Vandenbroeck added.