On June 28, the skies above Burauen, Leyte, will witness a remarkable event as two Philippine Eagles, named “Uswag,” 3 years old, and “Carlito,” 6 years old, take flight into their newfound freedom. This release marks a significant step in an innovative experiment aimed at reintroducing these majestic birds into "vacant habitats" beyond their traditional home of Mindanao Island.
A Strategic Move for Conservation
Under the guidance of the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF), Director for Operations Jayson Ibañez announced the imminent release of the eagles. The chosen location, the 4,000-hectare Marabong Watershed in Kagbana village, promises ample food sources and pristine forest cover—a vital requirement for the birds' successful rehabilitation into the wild.
Community Collaboration and Long-term Goals
The release effort in Kagbana represents the culmination of a decade-long partnership between PEF, local communities, and various stakeholders. Through initiatives led by organizations like the Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU) Burauen campus, Kagbana villagers have been empowered with alternative livelihoods, transforming former hunters into guardians of the forest.
Raptor Repopulation Initiative in Leyte: A Five-Year Plan
In addition, the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) has outlined a strategy to reintroduce 18 raptors into Leyte over the next half-decade, primarily sourcing them from Mindanao with potential contributions from Samar province. Kagbana villagers reminisced about encountering a pair of eagles between 2007 and 2012, just before Supertyphoon “Yolanda” ravaged the area, with a solitary raptor sighting in 2017. Locals speculate that the pair may have succumbed to Yolanda, the most formidable storm at the time. Notably, male eagle Uswag and female Carlito, both rescued and rehabilitated at the Philippine Eagle Center in Davao City, have been adopted by CitiHardware and the Carl Balita Review Center, respectively. Despite challenges such as the stress of long-distance travel, particularly on bumpy roads, recent observations suggest the translocated eagles are adapting well.
