DENR lauds Cotabato farmer for saving serpent eagle

SET FREE An environment officer in Cotabato prepare to set free a juvenile Philippine serpent eagle in Magpet town after a veterinary doctor declared it healthy to be returned to its natural habitat. —photos from DENR-12

COTABATO CITY, BARMM, Philippines — Environment officials lauded a farmer in Cotabato province for saving a juvenile Philippine serpent eagle (Spilornis holospilus) which was released back to the wild on Wednesday.

Forester Abdulnagib T. Ringia, community environment and natural resources officer of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) based in Matalam town, said the acts of Jimmy Icdang should set an example to all on how to treat the country’s wildlife, especially the endangered ones.

Ringia urged the public to to report any wildlife concerns to the DENR or to the nearest Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO).

Ringia said that on June 28, 2024, Icdang, a resident of Sitio Salingsing, Barangay Magkaalam of Magpet town, found the juvenile raptor on his farm in Sitio Makasang, unable to fly.

Worried over its safety, Icdang said he took the raptor home and cared for it for two days. When he saw that the bird had regained strength, Icdang said he then informed the town’s environment officials about it.

Icdang told Magpet acting MENRO Erly Baudi that the raptor was weak and soaking-wet when he found it.

To ascertain the bird’s health, Baudi brought it to Dr. Mylene P. Reniedo, Magpet municipal veterinarian for examination.

Reniedo said the eagle measures 48.26 cm in wingspan, with a height of 30.48 cm and a weight of 1,000 grams.

And based on the results of her assessment, Reniedo issued a veterinary health certificate stating that the wildlife was in good health and fit to be released back into its natural habitat.

DENR Soccsksargen regional director Felix Alicer said the rescue of the eagle in Magpet shows that the agency’s efforts to educate the public about saving endangered birds is paying off.