CRITICALLY ENDANGERED PHILIPPINE EAGLE RESCUED FROM MONKEY ATTACK, AIRGUN SHOT IN BUKIDNON

Courtesy: Philippine Eagle Foundation

A critically endangered female Philippine Eagle is fighting for survival after a dramatic rescue on July 3, 2026, exposed a harrowing mix of wildlife conflict and severe human abuse.

The eagle, named "Sawaga-Dalwangan" after the river and village where she was found, is currently undergoing intensive, round-the-clock veterinary treatment for gunshot wounds and signs of illegal captivity.

The Rescue and Monkey Attack

The rescue unfolded in Barangay Dalwangan when local resident Marven Linoy noticed a massive commotion near the Sawaga River. He discovered the weakened eagle stranded on the ground, surrounded and being aggressively mobbed by a troop of more than 30 long-tailed macaques.

Linoy quickly intervened, shielding the helpless raptor from the monkeys, and alerted community leaders. The eagle was immediately handed over to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) before being transferred to the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) for emergency medical intervention.

Horrific Wounds Discovered

Initial medical examinations painted a grim picture of the bird's condition. The eagle was found with two severely injured wings and maggot-infested wounds eating away at parts of her body.

However, a deeper diagnostic investigation by the PEF veterinary team revealed that the injuries were not merely accidental:

• Airgun Pellets: X-ray scans discovered two airgun pellets permanently lodged inside the eagle’s body, confirming she had been shot.
• Rope Burns: Deep friction burns were found around both of her legs, strongly indicating that she had been illegally trapped and held tied to the ground before managing to break free.
• Plucked Feathers: Several primary feathers on her wings had been deliberately plucked out during her time in captivity, rendering her entirely unable to fly.

Criminal Investigation Launched

The deliberate targeting of the national bird has triggered widespread outrage and swift government backlash. The DENR Region 10, alongside the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), have officially launched a joint criminal investigation.

Authorities are working to track down the individuals responsible for shooting and illegally detaining the eagle. Under the Philippine Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act (Republic Act 9147), killing or harming a critically endangered species carries a penalty of up to 12 years in prison and heavy financial fines.

A Species on the Brink

The PEF reiterated that with fewer than 400 breeding pairs left in the wild, every single eagle life is vital to preventing the species' extinction.

Conservationists are using this latest tragedy to urge local government units (LGUs) across Bukidnon to implement stricter ordinances regulating or completely banning the use of airguns, air rifles, and improvised "jolen" guns, which continue to pose a fatal threat to the country's remaining wildlife corridors.

Sawaga-Dalwangan remains under close observation at a specialized veterinary hospital, where teams are working continuously to save her life.