Mt. Matutum soon to host captive-bred Philippine Eagle

by EJ Nacionales

Koronadal City (2 March) — Mt. Matutum Forest and Natural Park will soon be the habitat of captive-bred Philippine eagle after the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) considered the suitability of Matutum for the experimental release of the world renowned Philippine national bird.

Jayson Ibanez, Coordinator of PEF Field Research program said that the target month of release is on June and the intervening months will focus on preparatory plans and activities, assessment, public consultations, IEC drive and many others.

Ibanez added that Matutum is relatively isolated that would foster easy monitoring on the bird and that there is a positive collaboration among stakeholders of Mt. Matutum.

Tupi, South Cotabato Mayor Valentin G. Mariano expressed his full support on PEF’s project particularly on the aspect of training and seminar of the people who will be involved in the monitoring process after the eagle will be released.

The experimental test expected to happen on June will include the release of one captive-bred Philippine Eagle in Mt. Matutum that will be monitored by the PEF. If the release will succeed according to the observations and monitoring made, a pair of captive-bred Philippine Eagles will be released years later.

The Philippine Eagle is one of the most endangered species in the world. Each pair of eagle needs at least 7,000 hectares of forest to survive. Recent survey revealed that with forest lost, eagle population also diminishes since these creatures are known to be forest dwellers.

Philippine Eagle sightings in Mt. Matutum have been reported since 1970s and one physical evidence of this is the recent captive of a Philippine eagle at Sitio Basak, Polunuling, Tupi, South Cotabato. (MCC/MIO-Tupi/PIA 12)