MOUNT Tambuyong, situated in the municipality of Compostela, Davao de Oro, has been identified as a potential habitat for eagles.
The area is located within the same mountain range as Bermuda Side 4, Barangay Mangayon of the municipality.
The Community Environment and Natural Resources Office-Monkayo, in partnership with the Philippine Eagle Foundation and the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office, conducted a field monitoring activity at Mount Tambuyong to assess its viability to host the endangered raptor.
The team found that the mountain range possesses the ideal conditions for the raptor as it remains richly forested, with dense canopy cover and abundant food sources.
The terrain is also ideal for nesting and hunting grounds characterized by rugged hills and deep valleys, factors that determine excellent habitat for the species.
A comprehensive biodiversity assessment is eyed to identify potential nesting sites and measure the biodiversity index, to effectively evaluate the ecological health of the area.
Collaboration with academic institutions to support scientific research and strengthen Philippine Eagle conservation strategies is also underway.
CENRO officer Gretel B. Basoc emphasized that protecting the Philippine Eagle and its forest habitats can help maintain ecological balance and reduce vulnerability to natural disasters.
Provincial environment officer Rita Fe C. Gunn echoed the same call as the Philippine Eagle serves as a “powerful symbol of forest conservation and environmental stewardship
“Protecting this species means protecting the forests that sustain all life,” she added.
According to PEF data, the eagle’s population is declining, with fewer than 400 breeding pairs, or about 800 individuals, of Philippine Eagles in the wild. Forest loss, which affects the natural habitat for the raptors for nesting and hunting, is a major factor.
