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Philippine Eagle Passes Away In Cebu Waters Month After Release

by DitoSaPilipinas.com on Aug 06, 2024 | 11:08 AM
Edited: Aug 14, 2024 | 10:08 PM

The Philippine Eagle named "Uswag" tragically passed away after crashing in the sea near Cebu, according to the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF).

According to a report published by PEF, Uswag's global positioning system (GPS) readings on July 30 revealed that it crashed and perished off the shore of Baybay City, Leyte.

Researchers and emergency personnel launched a 42-hour search spanning more than 1000 hectares of the sea in response to the GPS signals. Uswag was later found in the waters of Pilar, Cebu.

Unfortunate loss

As part of the PEF's repopulation campaign on Leyte Island, the eagle was released on June 28 into the highlands near Burauen town. 

“It is very unfortunate that we lost Uswag to accidental drowning. He was healthy and fit and there was evidence based on field observations that he had already hunted successfully in the wild during the first few days after his release,"  the PEF said in its incident report.

The report speculated that rain and weather conditions may have affected Uswag’s route. However, based on the investigation, there were no indications that the Philippine Eagle had been shot or hurt before drowning.

Who is Uswag

On June 28, Uswag, a three-year-old male Philippine eagle, and "Carlito," a female raptor, were released into the mountains of Burauen, Leyte.

According to the PEF, since 1993, there have been nine recorded instances of Philippine eagles in the nation inadvertently crashing at sea, and all of them have been classified as immature.

But Uswag was the first wild eagle to be reintroduced and the first to fall at sea equipped with a GPS tracking device.


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