28th Phl Eaglet bred in captivity hatched
DAVAO CITY – Another Philippine Eaglet bred in captivity has been hatched at the Philippine Eagle Center in Malagos, Calinan in this city.
It is the 28th eaglet produced by the conservative breeding program of the Philippine Eagle Foundation, which runs the non-profit Philippine Eagle Center.
The eaglet was hatched on Nov. 4 with minimal assistance after 56 days of incubation, according to the PEF.
As of yesterday, the new eaglet was said to be four to five inches tall and weighed 488.3 grams.
The new chick is the third successfully hatched offspring of the Philippine Eagle pair, MVP (male) and Go Phoenix (female).
Eagles MVP and Go Phoenix are the adopted eagles of PLDT and Edisy Trading.
The PEF produced Eagle Pag-asa in 1992, the first Philippine eagle in its captive breeding program, and the latest of which are Sinag and Chick 27.
PEF animal keeper Colin Santander said Chick 28 showed no signs of deformities.
“It is active, and in fact, has a big appetite,” he said. “It is just three weeks old but its growth is exceptional.”
The birth of Chick 28 highlights the continuing success of what was once thought as a lost cause.
“In the midst of continued mortality and persecution in the wild, this hatching success underscores the importance of conservation breeding as a way of securing this species’ gene pool,” said PEF executive director Dennis Salvador.
The PEF continues to serve its mission in saving the great Philippine Eagle from extinction.
It firmly believes that, with concerted effort, the critically endangered Philippine Eagle will someday fly freely in the wild.
The PEF also embarks on a community outreach program in areas adjacent to known Philippine eagle habitats.
The Malagos eagle center is said to have in its custody 36 Philippine eagles.