The Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) is mourning the loss of Riley, a young Philippine eagle that died at the National Bird Breeding Sanctuary in Davao City, a reminder that securing our future means protecting the country’s critically endangered national bird before it is too late.
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The Philippine eagle is on the verge of extinction due to a number of issues, including habitat degradation, poaching, and pollution. It is one of the world’s largest and most impressive raptors. With a wingspan of up to 7 feet and a weight of up to 14 pounds, it is a formidable predator that deserves respect and admiration. It is also a source of national pride and an integral part of the country’s cultural heritage. Despite its iconic position, the Philippine Eagle is in imminent danger of extinction.
Our eagles, forests, and children’s futures are all closely interwoven. Saving the Philippine eagle involves safeguarding the future generation of Filipinos.
Be inspired by how communities across Luzon and Mindanao help save the Philippine eagle
PHILIPPINE EAGLE FOUNDATION MOURNS THE PASSING OF RILEY
Riley, a young Philippine eagle, died on April 15, 2025, at the National Bird Breeding Sanctuary in Davao City.
Although the facility is not open to the public, Riley has impacted many people’s lives through the Foundation’s social media, serving as a beacon of hope for eagle conservation.
Riley’s right wing drooped on April 12, and the bird appeared to be in agony. X-rays revealed fractures in Riley’s wing joint, which were most likely caused by an underlying bone disease that made his bones abnormally weak.
Despite intense therapy and supportive care, the eagle’s health deteriorated. Riley suffered from breathing problems and inflammation and died three days later. A necropsy confirmed the results of metabolic bone disease and possibly an infection, indicating a weakened immune system.
Riley was cared for using the same protocols as other healthy eagles, but his situation spurred the Foundation to examine and reinforce its health and nutrition programs to avoid similar incidents in the future.
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QUICK HISTORY ABOUT THE PHILIPPINE EAGLES
The Philippine eagle is one of the world’s rarest species. Only four Philippine islands, namely Luzon, Samar, Leyte, and Mindanao, are home to this large prey bird. It is thought to be one of the largest and most powerful woodland raptors. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists them as critically endangered, with an estimated 400 pairs remaining in the wild, according to the Philippine Eagle Foundation.
The Philippine Eagle, the country’s critically endangered national bird, continues to face population decline due to deforestation and hunting, as reported by Mariel Celine Serquiña of GMA Integrated News. According to the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF), habitat loss from upland farming and forest encroachment is driving the raptor away from its natural hunting grounds and into human settlements, where it increasingly preys on livestock.
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Conservation Matters all the Way!
Jayson Ibanez, Research and Conservation Director of the Philippine Eagle Foundation, leads a holistic conservation program to protect the critically endangered Philippine eagle and its forest habitat in Mindanao. Under his initiative, ‘Local Conservation Areas’ were created to manage 500 square kilometers of eagle territory. The program employs 350 indigenous forest guards to safeguard nesting sites and prevent hunting, while over 450 households benefit from sustainable livelihoods, clean water, health care, and education. Ibanez’s efforts to protect the Philippine eagle while supporting local communities have earned him international recognition, including the 2015 Whitley Award and 2017 Continuation Funding.
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PEF expressed their gratitude to those who watched Riley’s journey, as well as the personnel who cared for the juvenile eagle. Riley’s brief life served as a reminder of the value of every eagle and the significance of continuing conservation efforts.
Riley’s legacy will guide fresh attempts to safeguard the species and secure a better future for the Philippine eagle.
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WHY DO WE HAVE TO SAVE THE PHILIPPINE EAGLE?
The fates of our eagles, forests, and future generations are closely interwoven. Saving the Philippine eagle means preserving future generations. The environment plays an important role in maintaining the ecosystem’s delicate equilibrium. It serves to organically manage species populations and provides an umbrella of protection for all other life forms in its domain. An abundant Philippine Eagle population indicates a healthy forest. Meanwhile, the uncommon and gorgeous bird species is only found in the Philippines.
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The extinction of the species would also result in the loss of the world’s valuable biological heritage. Ensuring the safety of the Philippine eagle population in upland areas might result in an additional source of income for marginalized people who share the forest with the eagles as part of our biodiversity-friendly projects. These projects are financed to help boost conservation efforts in places where Philippine Eagles live. Conservation activities have a favorable cultural impact on many indigenous communities in the uplands. The Philippine eagle appears in the oral histories and other cultural artifacts of various indigenous communities around the country. This suggests that it plays a role in the human creation of distinct cultures.
Through a call to action of research and combining the methodologies of knowledge, we can make a big difference with local communities and different organizations on how we execute the propositions of solutions stated by the Philippine Eagle Foundation.
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