PHILIPPINE Eagle “Lakpue” is showing positive signs of recovery in rehabilitation after being rescued in Marabong River in Burauen, Leyte on Aug. 16, where it lost one of its talons in a dog encounter.
Dr. Jayson Ibañez, Philippine Eagle Foundation director for operations, told reporters on Wednesday that Lakpue is “on the road to recovery.”
“Well, as of now, since maganda ‘yung prognosis ng mga vets natin, maganda naman ‘yung kanyang development, nabawasan ang incidences of infection,” Ibañez said.
Lakpue was transferred to the Philippine Eagle Center on Thursday night, Aug. 27, from Doc Bayani’s Animal Wellness Clinic after undergoing several tests.
The veterinary team with PEF has seen his body condition score improve after gaining muscle mass and showing a healthy appetite.
Veterinary examinations confirmed that the bird suffered an infection near the injured area, but noted that the infection has since cleared, and the underlying tissue is actively healing.
Initial tests also cleared the eagle of Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease, with remaining evaluations focused on fungal infections and Trichomonas.
However, veterinarians maintain a “guarded” status for the eagle, keeping him under close observation in an isolated cage.
In an earlier report, the PEF noted that Lakpue had lost a talon, a serious injury for a Philippine Eagle.
Talons are essential for grasping and subduing prey, and the injury may affect the bird’s ability to hunt and survive independently in the wild.
But Ibañez reported that the eagle might no longer need to have a prosthetic claw installed, noting that natural growth is “very promising.”
He indicated that because the tissue responsible for keratin production remains intact, Lakpue’s claw is expected to regrow naturally over the next year.
PEF plans to continue Lakpue’s rehabilitation in Leyte through a partnership with the municipality of Javier in Leyte.
Studies identify the forested landscapes connected to Javier and neighboring municipalities, which are covered in the Anonang-Lobi Mountain Range, as crucial areas for the Philippine Eagle.
PEF has an existing memorandum of agreement with LGU Javier, and the latter allocated annual funding, along with a pledge to establish a field research station for their team.
The foundation is also seeking support from the Provincial Government of Leyte.
Ibañez said PEF is assessing the possibility of bringing the bird to Leyte for full recuperation along with two other candidate birds.
PEF aims to translocate two wild-hatched juvenile eagles to protect them from hunting and territorial displacement in Mindanao.
“Ang difference nila sa mga previous releases natin is that these birds are not rehabilitated birds. So, these are healthy birds from the wild that are starting to fly out of their parents’ territory,” he said.
He stressed the foundation is working on getting the permits and clearances from the DENR, and getting the consent of the indigenous peoples, as the Eagles come from their ancestral domain.
The foundation is also planning to bring the indigenous host to the release site.
“It’s like the indigenous owners of the land properly turning over their eagle to LGU Javier and the local community. And that way, there’ll be more value for community protection,” he said.
The two candidate eagles for translocation are one from Davao City and one in Davao de Oro.
“Why is it better to translocate itong mga young birds? We’re transferring them kasi we think that if we don’t do that, they’ll be vulnerable to shooting and hunting dito sa Mindanao, because the situation now in Mindanao is that almost all forests are occupied,” he stressed.
The PEF seeks to release up to 16 eagles in the long-term as part of its species action plan to establish self-sustaining wild populations.
At present, PEF has released five, namely Carlito, who was a female eagle released in June 2024 during the program’s launch; Uswag, a male eagle released in June 2024 along with Carlito but unfortunately wandered off and died at sea; Lyra Sinabadan (female) and Kalatungan I (immature male eagle) released in 2025.
Lakpue was the fifth eagle released in September 2025 in Barangay Kagbana, Burauen, Leyte.
