COTABATO CITY—A rescued female Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) was named “Bangsa Bae” to honor the Bangsamoro women who struggled for the Bangsamoro cause.
The Community of Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy Office (CENREO) in Lanao Del Sur-2nd district, in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region XI, turned over the eagle to Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) in Davao City on Feb. 12, 2022 after it was recently rescued by a concerned citizen on Wednesday, Feb. 9, in Marogong, Lanao del Sur.
In a phone interview with environment officer Benjamin Alangca, he shared that “a female Philippine Eagle was named Bangsa Bae to honor the Bangsamoro women for their momentous efforts and sacrifice as a wife, mother, and sister of the Mujahideen (freedom fighters) who fought for the victory of Bangsamoro region.”
“It was the first time that we found and rescued an injured Philippine Eagle which signifies the Bangsamoro region’s vast environment and natural resources,” Alangca added.
It was Hadji Solaiman Olama who first found the injured eagle and did not hesitate to inform environmental authorities under the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) about his discovery for the protection and safety of the said eagle.
Dr. Anita Chua, a veterinarian specialist of the Regional Wildlife Rescue Center (RWRC) of Zamboanga del Sur Province, CENREO conservation and development section and DENR IX’s technical personnel, operated the first aid treatment and immediate medical assistance.
Based on the initial observation reports on physical examination of Bangsa Bae, it has a wingspan of 51 centimeter and a weight of 5 kilograms in its right-wing.
Upon the successful rescue, Bangsa Bae has undergone an immediate surgical operation on its injured right-wing since the bacterial infection was already fast spreading beyond its injured body parts.
After the initial medical treatment, they decided to turn over Bangsa Bae to the
PEF to perform additional medical procedures.
Meanwhile, Director of Biodiversity, Ecosystems, Research and Development Services (BDS) Mohamad Ali R. Dimaren said, “this proves that there is the presence of the Philippine Eagle in the Bangsamoro region, which we are committed to protecting and conserving [endangered species].”
He also reminded the citizens that according to Republic Act 9147 also known as the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, “the collection, trading, hunting, and care without a proper permit is strictly prohibited, especially for critically endangered wildlife such as the Philippine Eagle.” (Johaira B. Sahidala/BIO)
