Reward for the killer of Philippine eagle Mangayon increased to P100,000
The reward money for those who can identify the person who shot and killed the male juvenile Philippine eagle Mangayon in Davao De Oro last July was increased to P100,000.
Davao De Oro Gov. Dorothy Gonzaga on July 19 offered a P50,000 bounty to anyone who can give viable information on Mangayon's killer.
DENR Sec. Maria Antonia Loyzaga added another P50,000, according to the Facebook post of the agency's Davao office.
"Total bounty stands at P100,000 as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Provincial Government of Davao De Oro expedite all efforts to locate the culprit of this heinous crime," it said.
While authorities are undertaking continuous efforts to arrest the perpetrator/s, DENR-Davao asked the public for help through vigilance and cooperation.
It gave the contact details of its point-person, Jhonitz King Isaac, at 09276448394 and [email protected].
The Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) on July 11 announced that Mangayon died on July 8, due to severe blood loss after being wounded.
Veterinarians suspected the eagle was shot with an improvised slingshot or marble gun while he was perched.
On its website, the PEF said military troops found an injured Philippine eagle with an apparent left-wing injury on the ground in Bermuda, a part of Brgy. Mangayon in Compostela town.
They said the young eagle appeared lethargic and unresponsive with a partially dilated eye. He weighed five kilograms and had a body condition score of 1, which meant slight thinness and dehydration.
A veterinarian attended to Mangayon and found he had shattered bones in the left tarsal joints. His internal organs were in good condition.
But at 9:49 p.m., Mangayon succumbed to his injuries.
According to PEF, this isn't the first time they rescued an eagle that was shot. Three other birds—“Lipadas” of Mt. Apo, “Kalatungan” of Bukidnon, and “Nariha Kabugao” of Apayao—were also victims of gunshots this year.
The Philippine eagle, the national bird, is a critically endangered species protected under Republic Act No. 9147, or the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act.
Violation of the law incurs imprisonment of six to 12 years and/or a fine of P100,000 to P1 million.
The PEF, citing the International Union for Conservation of Nature, said only about 400 pairs of Philippine eagles are left in the wild.