BY ASANGAN T. MADALE
A juvenile Pinker’s Hawk Eagle, also known as Mindanao hawk-eagle (Nisaetus pinskeri) was found in the area Barangay Princesa, Baroy, Lanao del norte on Thursday , March 2, 2023.
According to Sheila Opamen, this endangered eagle specie was found by her husband weakly perched in a coconut tree while eating a worm and eventually realized it couldn’t fly becuase of fatigue.
The eagle was immediately brought to the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) for further examination and treatment, and it was found out that its left eye was defective. Dr. Fritzie Provido, Provincial Veterinarian, personally treated and prescribed meds for the young eagle. Opamen said.
“This young raptor is now in the custody of the ENRO. We will care for it for the time being until it heals and regain its strength before releasing it back to the wild,” Arvin Sanchez, Environment Management Specialist, said.
The Pinker’s Hawk Eagle is the second eagle in the ENR Office of the provincial government next to the Philippine Serpent Eagle (Spilornis holospilus), which was found a year ago.
“The Pinker’s Hawk Eagle was declared endangered with the population being estimated at 400 to 600 and still continuing to decrease. We are glad that this eagle is found here in our province. This goes to show that there are still rare species living in our protected areas,” Engr. Melba Maghuyop, ENRO Head, said.
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