The Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, said a wild and untagged pair of Philippine eagle was spotted in Bukidnon, its first confirmed sighting after nearly 20 years.

PEF said the sighting happened within the Bukidnon Higaonon Tirbal Association (BUHITA) ancestral domain.

PEF added that the birds were sighted by BUHITA trail masters, forest guards, PEF biologists and monitoring staff, and the team from the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Valencia City.

“The pair was seen mutual-soaring, a graceful courtship ritual where two lifelong partners glide side by side. Together, they mark their territory while reaffirming their bond,” PEF said.

“It’s a beautiful and powerful dance in the sky, signaling that a new nesting season may be on the horizon,” PEF added.

PEF also said that the sighting is a good sign that Philippine eagles are finding their ways to survive.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Northern Mindanao (DENR-10) earlier said that an eagle was rescued while Bantay Lasang volunteer Bobby Mankilala and Datu Johny Guina were conducting a routine patrol at the Mt. Kalatungan Range Natural Park in Bukidnon in July 2025.

The eagle appeared to be slightly weak but was otherwise in good health when found entangled in a tree branch. Mankilala cut the branch to free the bird, which later regained strength and flew off.

On August 6, 2025, the Protected Area Management Office (PAMO) confirmed that two Philippine eagles were also sighted in the same area during a Rapid Biodiversity Assessment and Aerial Ground Survey.

"These multiple sightings within the span of a few days show that Mt. Kalatungan Range continues to serve as a vital refuge for the Philippine Eagle. This underscores the importance of DENR X's ongoing conservation efforts, including monitoring and protection of nesting sites,” DENR-10 Regional Executive Director, Henry Adornado, said.

“With the Philippine Eagle being one of the rarest birds of prey in the world, efforts like these are essential in ensuring their survival. Conservation targets are being coordinated with the DENR X - PAMO to strengthen protection and monitoring measures across the protected area,” DENR-10 added.