A team of experts has documented plant species at the Mahagnao Volcano Natural Park (MVNP) in Burauen, Leyte, to help identify suitable habitats for the Philippine Eagle in the area.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 8 (Eastern Visayas), in a report on Monday, said a team from the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) and research fellows from Co’s Digital Flora of the Philippines recently conducted field observations and photo documentation of plants across selected areas of the park.

The team also included botanists Dr. Pieter Pelser and Dr. Julie Barcelona from the University of Canterbury.

“The activity supports a better understanding of forest conditions that are important for the survival of the Philippine Eagle. It also highlights MVNP’s role as a key conservation site and ecological corridor,” the DENR stated.

Several plant species were recorded, such as Fagrea auriculata, a rare, fragrant shrub; Phytocrene macrophylla, a long-stemmed woody vine; and native ferns.

These species will be validated and added to the CDFP database, helping improve national records of plant biodiversity.

Last year, multiple Philippine Eagles were released in the Anonang-Lobi Mountain Range in Barangay Kagbana, Burauen, Leyte, as part of a multi-year reintroduction program. MVNP is part of the 580.45-square-kilometer mountain range.

The program was launched in June 2024, marking the historic release of Philippine eagles “Carlito” and “Uswag.”

While female eagle “Carlito” successfully adapted to the Leyte landscape, the male “Uswag” wandered too far from the site and accidentally crashed into the sea.

In May 2025, a pair of Philippine Eagles, “Kalatungan I” (male) and “Lyra Sinabadan” (female), were released into the wild in Burauen town. (PNA)