The Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) announces with great sadness the passing of the first Philippine Eagle chick hatched at the new Davao sanctuary.
Chick No. 30, a 17-day-old male eagle, died on Friday, November 29, at the National Bird Breeding Sanctuary (NBBS) in Brgy. Eden, Toril, Davao City.
“With profound sadness, we share the passing of Chick 30, one of our most cherished Philippine Eagle hatchlings. Despite our dedicated team’s tireless efforts, complications beyond our control arose,” the foundation said on social media.
This heartbreaking loss underscores the delicate nature of chick-rearing and highlights the vulnerability of critically endangered species, the foundation added.
According to the PEF, Chick No. 30, the offspring of Sinag and Pin-pin, initially exhibited normal behavior and feeding patterns. However, on November 26, he began showing signs of respiratory distress, including labored breathing and sneezing.
Immediate interventions, such as oxygen therapy and fluid suctioning, stabilized his condition. Despite intensive care and monitoring, the chick’s health deteriorated, and resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful.
A necropsy conducted by Dr. Bayani Vandenbroeck suggested that yolk sac retention (omphalitis) and its resulting complications may have caused the death. Additionally, Chick No. 30’s weight was significantly below the expected range for his age.
“(T)his is the first time that the PEF breeding team had a case of yolk sac retention, which is usually linked to infection or other causes. Strict hygiene and management protocols were followed, so we did not expect this at all, but we will probe where else we can improve,” Vandenbroeck said in a statement.
Domingo Tadena, NBBS facility manager, said, “The loss of Chick 30 is a challenging setback for our team, as we faced unexpected complications despite our best efforts. This loss pushes us to learn, adapt, and strengthen our care practices moving forward.”
The PEF assures its partners, supporters, and the public that it is already implementing measures based on these findings.
“As we mourn this loss, we also draw inspiration from the lessons learned, which will guide us in our mission to protect and recover the Philippine eagle population. We remain steadfast in our dedication to ensuring the survival of this iconic species,” the foundation said.