Setback for Philippine Eagle conservation as hatching dies
A Philippine Eagle chick, which hatched through artificial insemination, has died, marking another setback for one of the world's largest and critically endangered raptors, as announced by an avian conservation foundation.
The decline of the Philippine Eagle population has been accelerated by habitat loss and extensive hunting. As the national bird of the Philippines, these majestic eagles face significant threats to their survival.
Last month, the hatching of "Chick Number 30" briefly ignited hope that advancements in science and conservation could support the survival of this forest-dwelling species. However, that hope was quickly overshadowed by tragic news.
"This heartbreaking loss highlights the fragility of chick-rearing and underscores the vulnerabilities of critically endangered species," the Philippine Eagle Foundation stated on their website.
The male chick, who was just 17 days old at the time of death on Friday, represented the first successful hatch in the foundation's new facility through artificial insemination. The cause of death is suspected to be complications related to "yolk sac retention," a condition seen in poultry farms that can result from bacterial entry through incubating eggshells or exposure to bacteria after hatching.
Philippine Eagles, recognized for their striking head plumage and impressive wingspan of up to 2 meters (seven feet), are notoriously difficult to breed, with cases of aggression toward unsuitable mates not uncommon.
Currently, it is estimated that only 392 pairs of these eagles remain in the wild, with just 30 having been born in captivity. The foundation's ultimate aim is to reintroduce these eagles to their natural habitat, although they have not successfully accomplished this in 37 years of operation.
Sadly, many Philippine Eagles have also fallen victim to gunshots or electrocution while resting on power lines. Each pair requires at least 4,000 hectares (approximately 10,000 acres) of forest—an environment that is rapidly diminishing in the Philippines—to hunt for prey such as flying lemurs, palm civets, flying squirrels, and monkeys.
While the latest chick had shown normal behaviors and feeding practices initially, it began to experience labored breathing and sneezing on November 26.
Bayani Vandenbroeck, who conducted the necropsy, remarked, "Of all the chicks that have been successfully hatched and raised, this is the first instance of yolk sac retention we've encountered, which is typically associated with infection or other underlying issues." He added, "We adhered to strict hygiene and management protocols, so this was unexpected; however, we will investigate how we can improve further."
2 January 2025
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