According to data, The Philippine Eagle, otherwise known as the monkey-eating eagle or great Philippine eagle, is a critically endangered species of eagle of the family Accipitridae, which is endemic to the forests of the Philippine archipelago. These birds commonly have a dark face and a creamy-brown nape and crown. The females is known to be much larger than of the males, with the usual wingspan of 2 meters, height of 1 meter, and weights of about 7.5 to 8 kilograms. Based on the recent news, the population of this specie of eagle is rapidly declining, with the population of 600 to 800 left in the wild – the ones living in captivity are excluded in this data. Some of the main and destructive causes of the critical endangerment of the Philippine eagle includes the following:

 

1. Habitat Destruction

• According to the Philippine Eagle Foundation, the main territories and areas of these powerful birds are the Eastern Luzon, Samar, Leyte, and Mindanao (mostly Davao). These regions of the Philippine archipelago is known to have the most number of mining areas and illegal logging activities in which it greatly affects the environment where these eagles lives, seeks foods, and nests.

 

2. Illegal Hunting and Killing

• As mentioned by recent news, one Philippine eagle is killed every year by being shot down by hunters for its pricy body parts such as its beak. Additionally, even though accidental, a handful of these birds are killed due to hunting traps made by poachers for hunting wild pigs, snakes (mainly pythons), deers, etc. Such huntings is in demand due to the use of bushmeat. Bushmeat is the term used for meats made from wild animals such as bats, monkeys, cane rats, antelopes, etc. Furthermore, Philippine eagles are also killed because of protecting livestock. It is so since farm animals are a part of these birds' food diet.

 

These activities greatly contributes to the rapid declination of the Philippine eagles' population over time. However, in the good of times, there are laws declared by the Philippine government that protects these birds and prohibits illegal activities that badly affects their habitat and population. These laws includes the following:

 

• Republic Act No. 6147

~ An act declaring the Pithecophaga Jefferyi, commonly known as monkey-eating eagle as a protected bird in the Philippines, providing for the preservation of the same and authorizing the appropriation of funds for the purpose. (Senate Bill No. 157)

 

• Republic Act No. 9147

~ Also known as the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.

~ An act providing for the conservation and protection of wildlife resources and their habitats, appropriating funds therefor and for other purposes. (Senate Bill No. 2128)

 

Such laws are made to protect the descending population of the Philippine eagle for the following main causes:

 

1. The Philippine eagle regulates the population of smaller animals that can pose danger to humans like snakes, and cause damage to agricultural crops such as rats.

 

2. This animal is considered as our country's national bird. Once extinct, we would likely have a piece missing in our nation's identity and reputation as an eco-friendly and an animal-amiable country.

 

3. Such birds' presence in the forests is an ecological indicator that connotes a rich and biodiverse environment.

 

Such causes are very important and very essential for our very own country, The Philippines. And we could say these laws was already known and addressed to the public but they seem to ignore these and still violates and kills these specie of eagles. We think that us, the nation's people, need to reinforce and emphasize more about the nearing extinction of these birds, raise awareness, provide support and assistance to the Philippine Eagle Foundation, and fire a wake-up call to the Philippine government to strengthen and amend the laws mentioned that protects and conserves our national bird. 

 

WE NEED TO THINK AND ACT NOW!

 

Reference Links:

http://tinyurl.com/4uhyns4m​

http://tinyurl.com/2t6a4mbp​

http://tinyurl.com/3mresrtp​

http://tinyurl.com/skv4ryrs​

http://tinyurl.com/4u8utjke​

http://tinyurl.com/4xvm83r7

 

To know more about the Philippine Eagle Foundation:

https://www.philippineeaglefoundation.org/