KIDAPAWAN CITY (MindaNews / 29 July) – Environment and local government officials released into the wild on Tuesday, World Nature Conservation Day, a three-year-old Philippine Eagle who was rescued by farmers last June.
“Makilala Hiraya” flies to freedom on Tuesday (28 July 2020), World Nature Conservation Day. Screengrab from a Philippine Eagle Foundation video
The eagle, which officials named “Makilala Hiraya,” is now back in its habitat in Mount Apo after personnel from the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) completed its treatment.
The eagle’s name, “Makilala Hiraya,” was derived from the name of the municipality in North Cotabato where it was rescued.
A video posted by the PEF on its Facebook page showed Makilala Hiraya’s release around 10 a.m. witnessed by PEF personnel, as well as officials from the Energy Development Corporation, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 12, Makilala LGU, and from the town’s Barangay Batasan.
In the video, Makilala Hiraya is seen flying straight into the branch of a nearby tree and perched there as the small crowd cheered.
On June 8, three farmers identified as Artemio Henilo, Joefrey Booc, and Joel Arumbo, all residents of Purok-3A, Barangay Batasan in Makilala, saw the injured eagle fall from the tree.
The farmers said the eagle couldn’t stand straight because of the wounds it sustained from the attack of at least 20 crows.
The Makilala LGU initiated the turnover of the wounded eagle to the PEF in Davao City for treatment.
The foundation, after taking care of the eagle and bringing it back to health, returned it to the Makilala LGU. (Malu Cadelina Manar / MindaNews)
