Teenager Rescues Juvenile Philippine Serpent Eagle in Sarangani

COTABATO CITY – A juvenile Philippine serpent eagle (Spilornis holospilus) was rescued by a teenager after the large raptor landed at the terrace of their home in Barangay Sapu Padidu, Malapatan, Sarangani province on Monday, Sept. 7. The bird was reportedly attacked by crows before finding its way to the house of the Mejares family. READ: Rescued endangered hawk-eagle eaglet turned over to DENR in Zamboanga Joy Ologuin, Sarangani Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) head, said the distressed raptor landed on the terrace and was found by Xian Mykee Laure Mejares. The young resident, aware that the bird is endangered, immediately secured the bird and sought assistance from authorities. He posted on social media his image while holding the beleaguered raptor, calling on authorities to come and rescue the eagle. Personnel from Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO)-Malapatan immediately responded and rescued the eagle, which measured 53.34 centimeters from snout to vent. The raptor was released to the wild on Tuesday after it was assessed to be in good physical condition. Maria Elvira Lumayag, Department of Environment and Natural Resources-12 (DENR-12) OIC regional executive director, commended Mejares and his family for their responsible action, as well as MENRO-Malapatan for its prompt coordination. “Their response highlights the important role of communities in protecting the country’s wildlife,” she said. /jpv