Philippine eagle Girlie gets a QCitizen card
This Philippine Eagle is now a certified QCitizen!
Girlie, the oldest Philippine eagle in captivity was recognized during the kick-off celebration of Philippine Eagle Week organized by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources at the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center.
During the program, the bird was ceremoniusly given a QCitizen ID for being sheltered in the said wildlife center in Quezon City. It was also granted a senior citizen ID for its physical impairment and avian age of 45 years—beyond its typical lifespan of at most 30.
Mayor Joy Belmonte graced the event, emphasizing the need for environmental protection and biodiversity.
"Sa panahon ng tumitinding init at lumalalang epekto ng climate change, mas malinaw natin nakikita ang halaga ng mga kagubatang watershed at luntiang espasyo. Kaya dito sa QC, patuloy nating inaalagaanang higit 300 parks at open spaces ng ating lungsod," Belmonte said.
"Ang haribon o hari ng mga ibon ay isa sa mga pinakamakahulugang simbolo ng ating pagka Pilipino—matatag at hindi nagpapatinag. Thus, it is only fitting that we honor Girlie as our VVIP or very vital irreplaceable Philippine treasure," she said.
Czech Ambassador Karel Hejč, Philippine Eagle Foundation Pres chairperson Felicia Atienza and husband Kuya Kim, and some government officials and conservationists were also in attendance.
According to the Department of Environment Natural Resources, the eagle was rescued as a juvenile in 1982 after it was shot and sustained a damaged wing and a blind left eye. In 2009, the eagle settled permanently in the city under the care of NAPWC.
Also in the 1980s, Girlie was paired with a male eagle named Tsai. They produced an egg, dubbed as a first for a natural pair of their species in captivity. However, the chick did not survive.
"Girlie is more than a resident of a city park; she is a living reminder of our shared responsibility," Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna said in a press release early in June. “The DENR will continue to work with partners like the Philippine Eagle Foundation to protect habitat, support science‑based recovery, and bring conservation into the daily lives of Filipinos.”
