Pag-asa, the first Philippine Eagle successfully hatched and bred in captivity, turned 25 yesterday.
Pag-asa is the first to be produced under the captive breeding program of the non-profit Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) through the combined artificial and natural incubation technique taught by the World Center for Birds of Prey.
The Philippine Eagle was declared the country’s national bird, replacing the maya, in 1995 by then president Fidel Ramos.
Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, who also chairs PEF, said that through the years Pag-asa has been a big help in increasing awareness on the importance of the Philippine Eagle to the environment.
He stressed that the continued existence of the giant raptors would help in preserving the remaining forested areas in the country, the forest being their natural habitat.
According to Dominguez, Pag-asa symbolizes hope that inspires to continue with the captive breeding program and other PEF programs to put a stop to the dwindling population of the Philippine Eagle.
The PEF runs the Philippine Eagle Center in Barangay Malagos, Calinan District here where Pag-asa is kept in a large dome cage. It has hatched 28 Philippine Eagles although a number of them have not survived.
Since Pag-asa is already 25 years old, officials say the bird is still unsuitable for release to the wild and would remain in captivity for some time as it has developed dependency on its human keeper.
In 2013, Pag-asa made history by laying her first chick on Feb. 9 through artificial insemination. Her offspring was named Mabuhay.
Source: Philippine Star
Share It To Your Friends!
Loading...