PHILIPPINE Eagle Lakpue is being closely monitored in a clinic in Davao after being rescued in Marabong River in Burauen, Leyte on Aug. 16, where it lost one of its talons in a dog encounter.
In a statement Friday, Aug. 21, the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) said that Lakpue was the eagle translocated to Leyte along with eagles Lyra Sinabadan and Kalatungan last March 21, 2025.
Lakpue was released on Sept. 30, 2025, and sighted in Mahagnao, Burauen, Leyte on Sunday, May 17, 2026, during the media documentation activity with Philippine Eagle Foundation field technicians and forest guards from Mahagnao.
After hearing of the incident, PEF veterinarian Danielle Pasion and senior animal keeper Dominic Tadena responded to the site and provided immediate first aid to stabilize the eagle.
Lakpue was transported from Burauen, Leyte to Doc Bayani’s Animal Wellness Clinic in Davao City two days later, on Aug. 18.
The eagle is now undergoing medical examination, treatment, and mandatory disease screening under a veterinary team led by Dr. Sheen Gadong.
“Following his medical assessment and clearance, Lakpue will be transferred to the Philippine Eagle Center for continued care and rehabilitation,” PEF said.
PEF noted that the loss of a talon is 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.
However, the PEF said the rescue does not automatically rule out Lakpue’s eventual return to the wild.
The veterinary and rehabilitation teams will assess his agility, balance, strength, coordination, and, in particular, his ability to hunt and subdue prey despite the permanent loss of the talon.
The foundation cited Lakpue’s recent history in the wild as an encouraging sign, noting that he had previously been observed drinking from the Marabong River and actively hunting rat snakes, lizards, and palm civets.
During the recent media documentation, Dr. Jayson Ibañez, PEF director for operations, said Lakpue is behaving like a free-living wild Philippine eagle.
Field technicians also track several signs of adjustment, such as hunting success, as Lakpue has been seen hunting on his own and is also staying well inside the forest and rarely goes near houses or roads, which could mean that he is using the right habitat and is not actively seeking people.
“His rehabilitation will help us determine whether he can continue to perform these critical behaviors effectively despite his injury. Ultimately, his ability to survive independently—not flight alone—will guide the decision on whether he can return to the wild,” PEF stressed.
The foundation said it would continue to provide updates as Lakpue’s rehabilitation progresses.
It can be noted that Lakpue was translocated to Leyte to pair with Carlito, a female Philippine eagle, and breed in the wild, which would be a major turning point for the Leyte program.
Their chicks could also have strong genetic value because Lakpue came from Mt. Busa in Southern Mindanao, while Carlito came from Mt. Pasian in Agusan del Sur in Northeastern Mindanao.
Lakpue is set to replace Uswag, which tragically drowned at sea just a month after its release in Kagbana, Burauen. Its carcass was found floating off the Camotes Islands in Cebu. Uswag was a male Philippine eagle released along with Carlito when the reintroduction program started in 2024.
