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Saving
The Philippine Eagle From Extinction by Arnold Cafe
The
Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) is a non profit organization dedicated to
saving the endangered Philippine Eagle, and is composed of plucky
volunteers like Lt. Gen. Hotchkiss the foundation president who is solely
responsible in preserving, breeding and caring for the birds.
Dr.
Domingo Tadena, the veterinarian and the deputy director for captive
breeding and has been with the PEF since it began in 1987 and Jo Victoria
Kristy Cruz as volunteer for PEF field research team which use their time
in taking comprehensive approach to conservation, engaging in research, off
site and on site protection, community based efforts, public education to
promote greater understanding and achieve results in the preservation of
the eagle and its habitat.
All
three, share a passion for caring the Philippine Eagle, a bird often cited
for its bravery, fidelity and intelligence; no wonder it is the national
bird of the Philippines. Two major threats to its survival which are
hunting and deforestation.
Hotchkiss
points out that forest cover is crucial to Philippine Eagles. Without it, they
are unable to find food and build nests to breed, hence, the decline in
population. Habitat and key prey populations are rapidly disappearing,
likewise due to deforestation. Hence, the thrust towards environment
conservation is combined with the drive to save and propagation the
magnificent birds.
The
hunting and shooting of the Philippine Eagle continue to persist, and
eagles that have been turned over to PEF in recent years either had gunshot
wounds or trapped illegally in the wild. Even birds that seemed healthy at
the time of acquisition were found to have air gun pellets inside their
bodies.
“Human
persecution continues to be a threat to the viability of the wild eagle
population,� add PEF executive director Dennis Salvador and express the
hope that the Wildlife Act 9147 will protect them. Since 1992, the
foundation has bred twenty two eagles. While births are greeted with media
attention, there is little else available on them.
Education
is key, and the PEF hopes they can address this. The PEF founded and
operates the Center in Davao City. Currently home to thirty six Philippine
Eagles and many other wildlife species. The PEC, in addition to being a
breeding and research facility, has become an eco-tourism venue for
visitors who want to see the Philippine Eagle up close.
The
number of visitors has gone up and down rising to a high of 118,615 in 2002
and dropping to a low of 91,408 in 2005. Due to a lack of maintenance, the
PEF faces the unpleasant dilemma of having to choose between allotting
meager funds for the birds' upkeep, or for that of the ground.
One of
the project of Gen. Hotchkiss is the renovation of the PEC amenities, which
aims to make it more modern and in tune with the environment. The PEF hopes
to improve lectures on how to preserve nature and the Philippine Eagle
through these renovations and offers partnerships to concerned companies
and individuals to support the project.
These
donations help provide for the bird's food, veterinary care and maintenance
for the entire year or the means to monitor nests and eagle chicks born in
the wild. More importantly, the PEC hopes to attract volunteers to do
fieldwork, administrative tasks, assist in managing special events such as
the Philippine Eagle Week and to help then raise funds to improve their
facilities for caring of the eagles. Currently, only 19 of the 36
Philippine Eagles at the PEC are sponsored by concerned individuals and
organization.
The PEF
need funds to feed and maintain the remaining eagles. To those who want to
help, just log on to their website: http://www.philippineeagle.org or email:
info@philippineeagle.org.
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About
the Author
Arnold
Cafe is an active internet marketer author of Ideas Galore: http://www.affleap.com/blog/
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