A STUDY conducted by the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) reveals that the critically endangered forest raptors are suffering not only a population decline but exceptionally low genetic diversity due to high inbreeding of the species.
During the Kapehan sa Dabaw on May 4, PEF director for operations Dr. Jayson Ibañez said the genetic crisis makes the eagles less healthy with no gene flow between subpopulations. This causes the species to have fewer genetic options to adapt to future threats, namely diseases, environmental change, habitat fragmentation, and reduced mate availability.
“This study would be the basis of our new approaches and improving the way we conserve our national bird,” Ibañez said.
The study was carried out by researchers from PEF, the Philippine Genome Center, University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman, UP Los Baños, and UP Mindanao.
Ibañez shared that PEF has rescued a total of 20 Philippine eagles from 2019 to 2022, being the highest rescue rate, where some of them were reportedly being shot, trapped, or fell to the sea. 18 out of 20 of the rescued eagles are juveniles and immature eagles.
“Many eagles are being shot while migrating or traveling to other mountains. These are often immature and young eagles. So this means we are losing many of our young and immature eagles that were supposed to carry the genetic diversity of their bloodline to other mountains,” he said.
He also asks for the public’s help to raise funds for the construction of three new cages for the 13-hectare breeding sanctuary located at the foot of Mount Apo in Toril as part of the ongoing conservation breeding program.
