PHILIPPINE Eagle “Chick no. 31”, also known as Riley, hatched at the National Bird Breeding Sanctuary in Barangay Eden, Toril District, Davao City on January 16.
In a statement from the Philippine Eagle Foundation’s (PEF) Facebook post, the hatching marks a “groundbreaking” achievement, boosting efforts to save the critically endangered species.
“Riley’s hatching is the first-ever documented unassisted natural hatching, a true testament to the resilience and strength of our #pefat38 conservation efforts,” the statement reads.
PEF said the eaglet will be transferred to a bigger nest on Wednesday, Feb. 19, “to accommodate her growing size.”
They said Riley’s arrival “is a symbol of hope and a reminder of the importance of unity in protecting our natural heritage”.
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the Philippine Eagle, a majestic yet critically endangered species, is on the brink of extinction with only approximately 400 pairs remaining in their natural habitat.
Last year, PEF also announced the loss of Chick No. 30, the offspring of Sinag and Pin-pin, who was adopted by Boysen Philippines and Philippine Airlines, with its resulting health complications as the possible cause of death.
The chick is a product of cooperative artificial insemination, with its parents being Pinpin, the female eagle who naturally incubated the egg for the first seven days, and Sinag, the semen donor who resides at the Philippine Eagle Center.
