The Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) has announced the adoption of a three-month-old Philippine Eagle named Bayani. Also known as Chick #32, the eaglet was adopted by Nico Herth, chief executive officer of Procon-Grumbach, a German manufacturer of high-precision electronics systems.
Photo: Philippine Eagle Foundation/Facebook
According to PEF, the name Bayani, which means “hero” in Filipino, reflects the courage and hope represented by every young Philippine Eagle. Bayani is the offspring of female eagle Dakila and male eagle Sinag, and was produced through cooperative artificial insemination, with the chick successfully bred and hatched at the National Bird Breeding Sanctuary in Barangay Eden, Davao City.
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PEF relies on donations, corporate partnerships, and private support to fund its conservation, breeding, and education programs aimed at protecting the critically endangered species.
The Philippine Eagle Center in Malagos produced its first Philippine Eagle bred and hatched in captivity in 1992—Pag-asa, who lived to be 28 years old. The Philippine Eagle was later declared the country’s national bird in 1995.
Today, conservation groups estimate that only about 392 pairs of Philippine Eagles remain in the wild.
Fun facts about the Philippine Eagle
The Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) is one of the largest and most powerful forest raptors in the world. It typically measures 2.5 to 3.3 feet (76 to 102 cm) in body length, with an impressive wingspan of about 6.5 feet (1.9 meters) and a weight of 10 to 18 pounds (4.5 to 8.1 kilograms).
Despite its size and strength, the species remains critically endangered. Conservation groups estimate that there are fewer than 500 individuals left in the wild, making it one of the rarest eagles globally.
In recognition of its importance to the country’s biodiversity and cultural identity, the Philippine Eagle was officially declared the national bird of the Philippines in 1995. It has also appeared in national events, serving as the official mascot of the 2005 Southeast Asian Games.
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