PEF confirms eagle in Misamis Oriental died of electrocution

DAVAO CITY — The Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) has released necropsy results of Philippine Eagle “Salay,” which was found dead near an electrical post in Barangay Guinalaban, Salay, Misamis Oriental, on Oct.1.

An examination revealed that the female eagle, estimated to be around five years old, had no external injuries, aside from burn marks on her left foot pad and green-purple discoloration over her abdominal region.

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In her report, Dr. Danielle Kirsten Pasion, PEF veterinarian, said the eagle’s heart appeared enlarged with blood accumulated within the pericardial sac. It also had green-purple discoloration of the body cavity and ruptured internal organs.

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READ: PH eagle with burn-like marks dies in Misamis Oriental town

Pasion said the presence of the burn marks on the foot pads together with the gross internal findings is consistent with electrocution as Salay’s suspected cause of death. 

“What happened to Philippine Eagle Salay is very tragic,” Dr. Jayson Ibanez, PEF director for operations, told the Inquirer. 

The first recorded electrocution of a Philippine Eagle was in 2024. “Kabayan,” a captive-bred eagle, was born on Nov. 24, 2022, and adopted by then Sen. Noli de Castro.

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Kabayan was released on April 22, 2004, inside the Mt. Apo Geothermal Plant in Ilomavis, Kidapawan City. But over a year after its release inside the EDC forest reserve, it died of electrocution after it perched on a live wire.

“The first record was in 2004 (Kabayan). Then Sinaka in 2018. Sinaka was a wild-hatched Philippine Eagle. The eagle was also found dead near a power line. Salay was the third recorded case,” he said./coa