The 19-year-old male captive-bred raptor was taken to the Avian Health and Research Center last Wednesday after his care team observed that he was not feeding well.
Mandai Wildlife also revealed that results of the eagle’s blood tests yielded positive results for infection.
In a statement on Saturday, the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) grieved the passing of Geothermica, who was born on January 4, 2004 at its captive breeding facility here.
“Let us remember Geothermica for his huge contribution as a Species Ambassador in Singapore where over 1.2 million guests from around the world experienced the majesty of the Philippines’ national symbol and how important global cooperation is to save its kind,” PEF said.
The PEF assured that it will not lose its heart in the mission to foster international cooperation to save the Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi), which it described as a “global jewel.”
The Philippine eagle is a species declared critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature since 1996. To date, the PEF estimated that there are only 392 pairs of Philippine eagles in the wild.
One of the rarest eagles in the world, the Philippine eagle can grow to a height of three feet (from the tip of crown jewel to its tail), a wingspan of seven feet, and can weigh eight kilograms.
In announcing the death of Geothermica, the Mandai Wildlife said the center’s veterinary healthcare and avian teams placed the raptor under observation and coordinated with the PEF in Davao City on his treatment plan.
Geothermica was one of the two Philippine eagles sent to the Jurong Bird Park in Singapore for a 10-year loan breeding program agreement signed between the Philippine government and the Mandai Wildlife Group to protect the critically endangered raptors from extinction due to calamities and diseases.[]
Geothermica and partner Sambisig were adopted by the Energy Development Corporation and Dow Chemical Philippines Inc., respectively. They are the first Philippine eagle couple placed under an international wildlife agreement.
“Geo(thermica)’s medical condition took a turn for the worse yesterday evening (7 September). During his ongoing treatment at the hospital, Geo(thermica) collapsed and had to be resuscitated twice,” the Mandai Wildlife statement said.[]
