DAVAO CITY (Updated 7:21 PM) – The Philippine Eagle Foundation described the killing of the Philippine Eagle (scientific name Pithecopaga jefferyi), Pamana, who was recently released in Mt. Hamiguitan range in Davao Oriental province as “disturbing”.
PEF Executive Director Dennis Salvador said they were “confused” why someone would kill the endangered species.
Pamana was found dead on Sunday in San Isidro town. Salvador said the eagle’s scapula was shattered due to the gunshot.
“All of us here at the center are confused because we have saturated the area in conducting education campaign for the conservation of the Philippine eagle. But still, this is done by a person with a malicious mind,” he said.
He said their biologists are also continuing with the education in the community even after Pamana was released into the wild on June 12.
Pamana was three years old when she died. Salvador said if Pamana was killed for food, the eagle’s meat would be “unpalatable”.
Salvador also said the government should have the political will to jail those who kill an endangered species.
“The public should see that if you kill an eagle, this is what will happen to you,” he said.
He said similar cases could be happening for other endangered species in the country.
Meanwhile, Panalipdan Mindanao Defenders and Advocates of Environment, Creation and Patrimony co- chairperson Dr. Jean Lindo said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the local government unit should investigate.
“Somebody should be held accountable. [They] should investigate if only to make the public aware,” Lindo said.
She added that environmental laws should be strictly implemented.
Republic Act 9147 or the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act penalizes a person who is found guilty of killing a critically endangered species with up to 12 years imprisonment and fines up to P1 million.
Lindo also said “Davao Oriental folks should lead in expressing outrage.”
San Isidro town mayor Justina Yu said the municipal government called for a meeting this morning together with the staff of the PEF, local police, Bantay Gubat as they are trying to look on what really happened.
“Tomorrow we will have a series of (investigation) in the barangay,” Yu said.
She said they are looking into the possibility that Pamana went far from her original vicinity.
“Maybe she went to the boundaries of Mt. Hamiguitan,we don’t know what happened to her,” Yu said in an interview with Radyo ni Juan Tagum.
Yu said Pamana was found in a ravine.
“Sa ravine siya eh, nahulog siya didto. (She fell in a ravine) Because she was trying to come back where she was before. She was trying to come back to our place. Hindi niya na siguro makaya (Maybe she cannot fly anymore) because of the gunshot wound,” Yu said.
She said she only learned about it on Wednesday morning “when the Philippine Eagle called me and informed me of what happened.”
“I was shocked. Even the Bantay Gubat, nobody knew about it except the Philippine Eagle,” said Yu.
Yu said they are trying their best to assist the authority and the PEF to find out who the culprit is.
“We’re very sad, this is very unfortunate,” she said. (davaotoday.com)
