APPEAL FOR HELP A social media card released by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources announced the P100,000 reward for leads on the identity of the shooter of Philippine Eagle “Mangayon” in Davao de Oro. —DENR Davao Facebook page
DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Wildlife conservationists have welcomed the offer of a reward for those who can lead authorities to the hunter who shot and killed a male juvenile Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) named “Mangayon” in Davao de Oro province early this month.
“Help us find justice for Mangayon! We will offer a bounty for any person who has viable information on Mangayon’s killer!” read a social media card released on Monday by the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (Penro) of Davao de Oro, which announced the P100,000 reward.
READ: Philippine eagle killed in Davao de Oro
The Penro said information may be relayed through Jhonitz King Isaac at email penrodavaodeoro@denr.gov.ph, and mobile number 09276448394.The offices of Davao de Oro Gov. Dorothy Montejo-Gonzaga and Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga each contributed P50,000 for the reward.
Dennis Salvador, the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) executive director, said the reward is expected to boost the enforcement of laws on wildlife protection.
READ: Vets fail to save Philippine eagle Mangayon
“I think it’s a great step forward in enforcing our laws and hopefully towards prosecuting those responsible for atrocities against our wildlife,” Salvador told the Inquirer.
“We expect these actions to deter continued shooting, trapping and trafficking of wildlife across the country. These resources are our natural heritage and we owe it to our people to safeguard them so that future generations can enjoy them,” Salvador added.
Protected
The country’s endangered national bird is protected under Republic Act No. 9147, or the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act, which provides a penalty of imprisonment for six to 12 years or a fine of P100,000 to P1 million for the killing of critically endangered species. According to recent estimates, there are only 392 Philippine eagle pairs in the wild.
Mangayon died on July 8 while being treated by veterinarians, who said that critical time was already lost before the raptor was brought to their care. The bloodied eagle was reported to PEF that same day after it was rescued from a Matigsalug tribesman by Army soldiers who were on foot patrol at Barangay Mangayon in Compostela town, Davao de Oro.
PEF biologist Dominic Tadena said the eagle “was probably not freshly caught” and could have been “kept for a couple of days” before it was discovered by soldiers.
Mangayon died from severe blood loss due to a wound on its left wing, most likely inflicted by an improvised gun that uses “jolen” or marbles as bullets.
Dr. Jayson Ibañez, PEF director for operations, said Mangayon was the fourth eagle hit by an improvised gun this year.
Hotline
According to Board Member Marie Jude Lopoz, the Davao de Oro provincial board is drafting an ordinance setting “the necessary and the correct protocols on how to rescue and take care of any Philippine eagle and endangered wildlife species” found in the province.
Lopoz added that such an ordinance must “most importantly establish policies as well as penalties for violators who shoot, capture or abuse wildlife” with stricter penalties for violators who are government employees and officials.
“I just feel strongly about the passing away of Mangayon,” she said.
“I would like to apologize that Mangayon died despite all the efforts that we have done. But I vow that we will do our best so that the same incident will not happen again. Those three Philippine eagles (remaining in Davao de Oro) must be protected,” said Rita Fe Gunn, Penro chief in Davao de Oro.
Gunn said they would set up an eagle rescue hotline to be managed by Penro, start a massive education drive next month about wildlife conservation and train locals on applying first aid, especially on raptors.