Eagles "Cabu" and "Aya" breed anew at Mat! Sanctuary

Jayson Ibanez, PEF Research Coordinator

Field expeditions by the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) and DENR in 2008 and 2009 at the eagle sanctuary in Mati City confirmed breeding activities by a Philippine Eagle pair fondly called Cabu" and "Aya" by the coastal community of Cabuaya in Davao Oriental.

The eagle couple was already nursing an eaglet in November 2008. PEF biologists spotted the young bird as it was flying above the rugged forests at The southern end of the Agustin Peninsula- In expeditions that followed, (he juvenile eagle was seen performing practice aerial maneuvers, flapping from tree to tree and doing a few spiral ascents over rising hot air above deep gorges. Based on its features, flight patterns, and the breeding schedule for Philippine Eagles, the eaglet is about a year old.

In the last field monitoring trip, the young eagle was seen being fed by its mother with a huge flying lemur, the eagle's prime food in Mindanao. In January, like a jet plunging from high, the female swooped across the mountain towards the loudly begging eaglet. After a quick food transfer and a brief cruising flight above the nest, the female soared and disappeared among the clouds.

Researchers first found the Cabuaya eagle territory in 1995 after the young eagle "Kalayaan" was rescued I here- But it wasn't till 2003 when an eagle nest bearing a cotton-white chick was found. The following year, Cabuaya officials banned farming and residency within a 1 kilometer radius of the nest tree and gave the eagle couple their pet names-They also christened the 2003 eaglet "Cabuaya".

To further secure the eagle couple, their future eaglets, and their forest home, Mat! City officials installed a 7,000-hectare protected sanctuary, crafted a five-year sanctuary management plan, and allotted a" annual funding of Php 1,000,000.00 for livelihood support, education, research and habitat protection. Mati has submitted an application with the DENR for the recognition of the sanctuary as a Philippine Eagle "critical habitat" which will elevate the status of the sanctuary to a national protected area.

'Along with similar initiatives by Davao City, BIslig City, Pantukan and Tarragona, Mali City's conservation investment is a milestone in the preservation of our national bird, which is also one of the world's most threatened bird species. Since Philippine laws devolved the protection of forests and wildlife to the local governments, these municipalities and local governments have emerged as our local conservation champions" said Dennis Salvador, PEF Executive Director "We hope that all the other local government units along the eagle's range will do the same," Salvador added,

"The Philippine Eagle's status in our forests reflects the city’s environmental health and Cabu and Aya's new eaglet indicates a greener future for all Matinians, We are very happy that our efforts are already working" said Michelle Rabat, Mayor of Mati City.

PEF and DENR are now at the Mati Sanctuary to catch the eagles and mount satellite and radio transmitters on them. By tagging the eagles with these tracking; devices, both PEF and DENR hope to monitor the birds and ensure their safety,

PFF need extra transmitters and funds for public education 50 eagle pairs and their young elsewhere in Mindanao can be closely tracked and protected from danger. For inquires on how you can help, please contact PEF through tatit@philippineeagle.org or 082-271-2337.