AN ADULT female Philippine Eagle suffering from severe wounds and infested with maggots was rescued after being surrendered by residents to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on July 3, 2026.
The eagle, named Sawaga-Dalwangan, was found near the Sawaga River in Barangay Dalwangan and was turned over to the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) at the Provincial Zoo in Malaybalay City by early evening the same day.
Barangay Dalwangan lies within the Mount Kitanglad Range Natural Park, one of the Philippine Eagle’s key strongholds.
The area holds the second-oldest known breeding territory for the species, with nesting activity documented continuously since 1986, making it one of the longest-monitored Philippine Eagle nesting territories in the world.
PEF veterinarian Danielle Pasion, senior animal keeper Dominic Tadena, and senior biologist Rowell Taraya examined Philippine Eagle Dalwangan during the initial checkup and found the bird weak, dehydrated, and unable to fly.
They also found the bird to have soil-stained chest and belly feathers and broken, worn plumage, signs that indicated she had been on the ground for a longer period.
“The infestation was more extensive than anyone had expected. Larvae were found not only in the wing wounds but also around the base of her tail feathers, around the vent, and inside the lining of the cloaca,” PEF said, noting maggots were found as responders cleaned her wounds.
The attending veterinarians said the combination of dehydration, soiled feathers, damaged plumage, and the advanced maggot infestation suggests the injuries were not recent and she had been unable to move several days before the rescue.
The foundation said the veterinary team immediately began treatment, including disinfection of the wounds, removal of as many maggots as they could find, administering pain medication, and starting subcutaneous fluids to treat dehydration.
Warm air was used to dry her feathers and help maintain the eagle’s body temperature before being transported to Davao City.
The eagle underwent radiographs, blood tests, parasite screening, and other diagnostic procedures to determine the full extent of her injuries at Doc Bayani’s Animal Wellness Hospital in Davao City.
PEF said veterinarians continue to conduct nightly examinations, manually removing maggots that remain hidden in damaged tissue or emerge as wounds are treated.
A formal investigation is pushed by the DENR in coordination with the Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation, if warranted, to determine whether wildlife laws were violated.
Fewer than 400 breeding pairs of the Philippine Eagle are believed to remain in the wild, according to PEF, which emphasized the significance of each individual bird to the species’ survival.
The eagle’s recovery is still uncertain, and the cause of her injuries remains under investigation.
“For now, her story is a reminder that saving endangered wildlife is not only about protecting forests. It is also about responding when an individual animal needs help—and making sure that help arrives before it is too late,” PEF said.
The rescue involved coordinated efforts from the DENR, the Provincial Zoo, the City Environment and Natural Resources Office of Malaybalay, Indigenous community members, local volunteers, and the Philippine Eagle Foundation.
Photo Philippine Eagle Foundation
