A Philippine eagle was spotted anew in Mt. Sinaka in Cotabato after two years since the last sighting in the area.

The raptor was seen soaring along the edge of the forest during the second semestral monitoring from November 4 to 7, 2025.

According to wildlife experts, its two-year absence can be attributed to natural factors such as food resource availability, avoidance of competition, and the dispersal behavior typical among young eagles.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-SOCCSKSARGEN (DENR-12) said the country’s national bird is one of the world’s largest forest raptors and remains critically endangered.

DENR-12 added that the species, which is found only in the Philippines, continues to face threats from habitat loss, hunting, and deforestation for nearly three decades.

Conservationists stressed that the latest sighting is a positive indicator of the ongoing efforts to protect and preserve wildlife within Mt. Sinaka, which is recognized as a key biodiversity area in the province.

Despite being the smallest known natural habitat of the Philippine eagle, spanning only 1,500 to 2,000 hectares, the mountain provides suitable nesting grounds, food sources, and shelter for a breeding pair of eagles and other endangered species.

“The declaration of Mt. Sinaka as a critical habitat has opened opportunities for funding and resource allocation to support continued research, conservation programs, and sustainable management practices vital for the survival of the Philippine eagle and other endangered species in the area,” DENR-12 said.