2 serpent eagles rescued in Cagayan
TUGUEGARAO CITY: Two rescued serpent eagles were turned over to the Cagayan Animal Breeding Center and Agri-Eco Tourism Park (BCAETP) of the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVET) in Zitangga, Ballesteros town in Cagayan.
The Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro) in Sanchez Mira town said they immediately brought and turned over the two rescued serpent eagles on February 27 for their care and safety.
Krusiva Tristane Jan Reslin and Leizel Costales said the two eagles were rescued in separate areas.
One was rescued in Barangay Centro 1 in Claveria town by a resident who saved it from a dog that was chasing the eagle.
Costales said the other one was found in Barangay Namuac, by the same resident.
She said the eagle was found weak and wounded by an air gun bullet.
Reslin and Costales brought the two eagles to the BCAETP in Barangay Zitangga in Ballesteros.
Cayetano Rabanal Jr. of the PVET said the eagle found in Barangay Centro 1 in Claveria was in good condition and was immediately released to the breeding center.
However, Rabanal said the eagle found in Barangay Namuac in Sanchez Mira that was hit by a bullet in its left wing is still being treated.
Experts said serpent eagles are
not among the vulnerable species in the Philippines. However, they need to be protected so that they will not become extinct.
Authorities have also warned the public that the capture, killing
and sale of these types of birds is strictly prohibited under Republic Act 9147, or the “Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.”