PAGASA, THE first Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) hatched and bred in captivity at the Philippine Eagle Center, turned 26 last Jan. 15. Development Officer Nelizza Marzo of the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF), which runs the Eagle Center, said Pagasa has been “imprinted” with humans to help in the breeding program. “Imprinted bird meaning kapag (when it’s) breeding season, his keeper will stimulate him (Pagasa) to produce semen,” Ms. Marzo said in an interview. Ms. Marzo said Pagasa is an adopted bird of Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., providing an annual P125,000 in financial assistance. The Philippine Eagle Center (PEC) is an 8.4-hectare area located within the Malagos watershed at the foothills of Mt. Apo in Davao City. The center primarily operates as a conservation breeding facility for the critically endangered Philippine Eagle and other birds of prey. There are currently seven Philippine Eagles on exhibit for education, while the rest are isolated for conservation breeding and research purposes. The PEF is also set to construct a new facility in Moncayo, Compostela Valley, which will become a satellite breeding site for the Philippine eagle and other endangered raptors. — Maya M. Padillo
