The statement came days after a Philippine Eagle named “Pamana” was found dead in Davao Oriental, inside a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) heritage site – the Mt. Hamiguitan Range.
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Famed for its elongated nape feathers that type right into a shaggy crest, the Philippine eagle, one of many world’s largest, grows as much as a metre (three.three ft) lengthy with a two-metre wingspan.
The eagle is considered to be the country’s national bird.
The species is “critically endangered” and there are only 400 pairs remaining, according to the worldwide Union for the Conservation of Nature. “The death of Pamana has strengthened the resolve of those who are saving against all odds the Philippine eagle from extinction”, he added.
“Needing support for stronger law enforcement in protecting wildlife & natl heritage.#PaalamPamana”, said the Philippine Eagle Foundation on Facebook.
“There is a disconnect between the fact that Pamana was killed in Mount Hamiguitan, and the fact that the mountain range is a protected site”.
Citing information from Mindanao-based environmental network Panalipdan Mindanao, Clemente said a Chinese firm Youbang Mining Corporation (PhilYoubang) has been given a mining permit and has an ongoing logging operation.
Dennis Joseph Salvador, Philippine Eagle Foundation executive director, told MindaNews that onsite biologists had been concerned August 11 when a mortality mode signal from Pamana’s transmitter set off, suggesting she had either died or the device had been removed.
“In Panalipdan’s report, Philyoubang’s operations have damaged second growth trees and other vegetation in Sitio Sopsopon, Brgy”.
The rare Philippine Eagle was found dead in a southern Philippine forest, conservationists revealed on Wednesday. Clearly, education and awareness aren’t enough. “If we can not protect wildlife in what we dare call protected areas, what kind of protection are we providing?”
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She also filed S.R. No. 1347 in May, calling for an investigation on the impact of kaingin and other prevalent forest activities on the dwindling Philippine eagle population in the forests of Samar Island.
