Personnel of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 13 (Caraga Region) have released a rescued Philippine hawk-eagle (Nisaetus philippensis) at the buffer zone of the Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary.
A resident of Barangay Magaud, Loreto, Agusan del Sur, Benjie Geral Dumogoy, rescued the raptor and turned it over to the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Loreto on Wednesday.
CENRO personnel assessed the bird, weighing approximately 1.1 kg., and found it physically fit for immediate release in the designated area. The raptor is classified as vulnerable under DENR Administrative Order 2019-09.
“The release of the Philippine hawk-eagle at the Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary reinforced the ongoing efforts to protect the region’s rich wildlife and forest ecosystem,” the DENR-13 said in a statement Thursday.
Agency officials commended Dumogoy for turning over the hawk-eagle and CENRO-Loreto for its immediate action.
“Community participation is crucial to the success of wildlife conservation initiatives, and such cooperation helps ensure the safety of threatened species while upholding national laws that protect wildlife,” the statement added.
Considered an important indicator of healthy forest ecosystems, the Philippine hawk-eagle thrives in the Agusan Marsh, a key wetland and ecological landscape in Mindanao.
The DENR-13 encourages the public to immediately report sightings of injured, distressed, or illegally held wildlife to the nearest DENR office to ensure proper handling, rehabilitation, and lawful release. (PNA)
