BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO
BAGGAO, Cagayan (July 28)—At least six eagles were freed back to their natural habitat in Baggao town, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 2 (Cagayan Valley).
Frederic Tomas, this town’s municipal environment and natural resources officer (Menro), said there were three Crested serpent eagles (Spilornis cheela), two Brahminy kites (Haliastur indus) and a Philippine hawk-eagle (Nisaetus philippensis) that were finally released after they were declared healthy.
Tomas said the serpent eagles and one of the Brahminy kites were set free at Sitio Kapaniswan, Barangay Bitag Grande.
“They were released by the local government unit (LGU) here and the DENR upon certification of the Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory that these wildlife species were found to be in good health,” he said.
According to Tomas, the rescue of these species was made possible through a Facebook post asking for help.
“We have responded to rescue the eagles in response to a Facebook post. We later turned them over to Rogelio Baggayan of the DENR’s Nature Park and Wildlife Center in Tuguegarao City,” he said.
Tomas added that the other Brahminy kite was rescued after it was trapped in a fishnet along a pond in Barangay Dalin while the Philippine hawk-eagle was found in a house in Barangay Santa Margarita.
“These eagles were temporarily housed in the municipal nursery to check on their health status before they were released in Sitio Anasian, Barangay San Miguel,” he said.
Mayor Joan Dunuan of this town said the LGU continues to intensify its forest protection efforts to rehabilitate and address habitat destruction.
She urged residents to be vigilant and reminded them to immediately act and report illegal activities in Baggaos forests.
Meanwhile, Ismael Manaligod, Cagayan provincial environment and natural resources office chief, said they had an agreement with Menro that whenever they rescue wildlife, they will have to immediately turn over to Penro or the community environment and natural resources office in Alcala town.