Wounded Philippine eagle rescued by farmer from troop of monkeys in Bukidnon
A wounded Philippine eagle got to live another day after a local farmer bravely rescued it from a troop of monkeys in Bukidnon.
In a press release by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Northern Mindanao, Marven Linoy, a resident of Impasug-ong, had been tending to their flower farm together with his two relatives when they heard loud calls from a troop of monkeys.
"Investigating the disturbance, they discovered the monkeys mobbing a Philippine Eagle on the ground. They immediately drove the monkeys away, safely recovered the bird, and promptly reported the incident to authorities, enabling a swift rescue response," the agency recounted.
Linoy was assisted by the Inhandig Tribal Multi-Purpose Cooperative in handling the eagle as they waited for authorities. Merly Omarol Suday, who manages the group, detailed that about 30 monkeys were attacking the bird when Linoy intervened.
"To scare the monkeys away, he barked like a dog, shouting 'Arf! Arf!' The monkeys became frightened and scattered," she said.
"He didn't know what to do at first. He thought about leaving to call for help, but he was afraid that if he left, the eagle might die before anyone could return. Instead, he stayed with the eagle. He carefully gathered leaves from an Anunutong fern and gently covered the eagle's eyes to help keep it calm. He then removed his jacket and used it to cover the eagle's body for protection," she added.
Suday praised Linoy for his "quick thinking, compassion, and willingness to stay with the eagle instead of leaving it alone," highlighting that these "played a vital role in giving our national bird a chance to survive."
After the DENR was informed of the incident, a team was sent to retrieve the eagle in Bukidnon. Upon arrival, the eagle was found "safely secured inside the rescuer's residence."
Afterwards, veterinarian Carmen Tangara and her team administered first aid to the eagle's visible wounds. It was then transported to the Provincial Zoo in Malaybalay City, where the Philippine Eagle Foundation team conducted a comprehensive physical examination of the bird.
The eagle weighed 5.57 kilograms and was estimated to be a young adult female, approximately five to 10 years old.
"Further examination revealed multiple wounds beneath its wings, several of which contained small maggots, indicating that the injuries had been sustained for some time. The wounds were thoroughly cleaned, disinfected, treated with wound spray, and the eagle was given pain medication to stabilize its condition," the DENR said.
"Based on the nature of its injuries, wildlife experts initially assessed that the eagle may have remained grounded for an extended period, possibly after becoming trapped or restrained and struggling to free itself. This assessment differed from the circumstances described by the rescuer, prompting conservation authorities to conduct further investigation to better understand the events leading to the bird's condition," they added.
The eagle was subsequently turned over to the PEF for transport to Davao City, where it will undergo comprehensive veterinary examination, treatment, and rehabilitation.
"The rescue highlights the importance of strong collaboration among government agencies, local communities, conservation organizations, and concerned citizens in protecting one of the world's rarest and most endangered birds," DENR said.
"The swift reporting and responsible actions of the local rescuer, combined with the coordinated response of partner agencies, significantly increased the eagle's chances of recovery and eventual return to the wild," they added.
The agency urged the public to immediately report sightings of injured or distressed wildlife and to refrain from handling wild animals "unless necessary to ensure their safety" while awaiting the arrival of trained wildlife responders.