The Eagles are coming!

I got this press release over email:

PHILIPPINE EAGLE FOUNDATION
EXPERIMENTAL RELEASE PROJECT

LOGISTICAL DETAILS

Where and when will all these happen?

On March 30, Kabayan will be transported via helicopter from the
Philippine Eagle Center in Malagos, Davao City, arriving at Site B of
the PNOC Geothermal Reserve in Kidapawan City, Cotabato by 8 o'clock
in the morning. The bird will be immediately transferred to the hack
box upon arrival at the site. A short program and reception follows
after.

On April 22, a short program shall be held at 8 o'clock in the
morning before the hack box will be opened at 9am. Guests may take
their time to observe the bird at their convenience until the
reception at 11 o'clock.

Hack site conditions.

The hack site is approximately 75 steps through the forest from the
roadside. Rugged footwear and rain jackets are recommended. Site B
is approximately 1200 meters (3900 ft.) above sea level (the peak of
Mt. Apo is about 3000 m or 9842 ft.) with cool to cold temperatures.

The observation area is 10 meters away from the hack box. Everyone
is asked to stay behind the camouflaged blinds during observation.
The blinds run a length of 10 meters and will allow only up to 15
observers at a time. Peep holes measuring approximately 5 x 8 inches
will be cut into the blinds.

Members of guests' entourage are requested to stay at the Program
Hall. Please note that PEF's field biologists will also be at the
observation area to take notes on the bird's progress. Minimal noise
is requested so as not to startle the bird.

How to get there?

The PNOC reserve is at Barangay Ilomavis, Kidapawan City, Cotabato
and is approximately four hours' drive from Davao City. The road
from Davao to Kidapawan is generally smooth, while the section from
Kidapawan to PNOC is mostly gravel and is at a 45º incline in some
parts.

A helipad is available at Genatilan town (coordinates N 06º 59.44, E
125º 13.703), and is only about 30 minutes away from the PNOC
entrance gate.

Transportation from Davao City to the release site and vise versa
will be made available at scheduled intervals. Reservation is
required.

Access

The PNOC is a restricted access facility. Everyone is required to
forward the names and vehicle information (Make and Model, Color,
Plate Number) of their party to the PEF for processing of access
passes.

Philippine Eagle Foundation
VAL Learning Village, Ruby St.
Marfori Heights, Davao City

Tel + 63 82 2243021
Fax + 63 82 2243022

Save paper, email us at phileagl@info.com.ph
www.philippineeagle.org


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This is a very exciting new development! I was lucky enough to go to the Philippine Eagle Sanctuary in Davao when I went in 2000. In the visitor's lounge you watch a video on what they do in the sanctuary. How handlers put on hand puppets to become the baby eagle's surrogate parents. Then while Joey Ayala's "Agila" plays you watch video of large eagles soaring in the air. The tragic part really is that the video is not of the Philippine eagle, it's the Canadian eagle, its not so tall cousin. The Philippine eagle is the tallest eagle in the world, standing at nearly 4 feet with a tremendous wingspan. It's also been called the monkey-eating eagle.

There were three eagles in residence at the time, two males, one female. The males cages were small, barely room to spread their wings out and certainly not enough room to fly. The female eagle had the larger cage, but only large enough to beat her wings once to reach the next perch. The size of the cages varied to the amount the corporate sponsor was able to contribute. This cage sponsored by Exxon, another by Philippine Bank. Their mother who was one of the first eagles stood taxidermied in a plastic enclosure inside the visitor's center. It was heartbreaking.

Being a large predator, they need expansive range and territory to survive. As the forests dwindle, there is not enough forest to sustain a population of eagles. Too bad the eagle can't adapt to urban life like some eagles and falcons in the Mission in SF that eat pigeons.

From the stories I've heard, the eagles used to fly everywhere. My parents remember a hurt one that took refuge under a house in the province.

I remember in the 80s when they started gathering California condor eggs to raise and then set free, and now some of them are raising chicks on their own.

As the top of the food chain, the eagles are one of the first indicators that the pyramid is falling. The Philippines is one of the most biodiverse places in the world with hundreds if not thousands of animal and insect species known to only exist amidst the 7,000 islands. This makes the release of a Philippine eagle into the wild that much more inspiring.

As I write this there's a sense of pride, of nationalism, of faith in humanity that maybe we're doing something right for this world for once.