[cuckooroller]

Hi All,

Good news from the Philippines:

Captive-bred Philippine eagle Kabayan to fly over Mt. Apo soon

KIDAPAWAN CITY (MindaNews/14 March) - Everyone is preparing for the
historic day on Earth Day, April 22, when a Philippine Eagle, conceived,

hatched and bred in captivity at the Philippine Eagle Center in Malagos,

Calinan, Davao City, will be released to spread its wings and fly over
Mt. Apo.

It will be the first time in Asia that a captive-bred endangered
species,
will be released to the wild. It will also be the first time for captive

eagle Kabayan, to be introduced into a real forest habitat.

The Philippine Eagle Foundation in Davao City initially requested the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Quezon City to

allow them to release a male and female captive-bred eagle but the DENR
approved the release of only one, a male eagle named Kabayan.

The endangered Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga Jefferyi), was described
by
the late aviator Charles Lindbergh as "the world's noblest flier." In
the
mid-1990s, then President Fidel V. Ramos declared the bird the country's

national symbol.

The PEF has released several Philippine eagles in the past but Kabayan's

release into the forests of the Philippine National Oil Company
Geothermal
Reserve within Mt. Apo, "marks the first time that an eagle bred and
born
in captivity is to be introduced to the forest habitat," a press
statement
of the PEF said.

"Previously released birds came from the wild and were rehabilitated and

treated for their injuries at the Philippine Eagle Center before they
were
returned to the area in which they were found. In contrast, the eagle to
be
released this March is seeing the forest for the very first time," it
said.

The eagle will be brought to a site in Mt. Apo on March 30 for the "soft

release" - and will stay in a temporary cage or hack box for about three

weeks to allow it to adjust to the new environment. By the end of the
third
week, the hack box door will be opened so the bird can explore the areas

outside of its makeshift nest until its eventual release on April 22,
Earth
Day.

The "experimental release project" is designed to document the released
bird's adjustment to its new environment and to test-release protocols
for
application to the Philippine Eagle. Results from the experimental
release
will be used in the planning of a full-blown reintroduction program for
Philippine Eagles in the future.

Kabayan, the offspring of eagles Junior and Kahayag, conceived through
artificial insemination, and hatched in November 2002, has been kept in
a
simulated forest inside the Philippine Eagle Center.

Kabayan, named after its adoptive parent, Senator Noli de Castro, a
candidate for vice president, has had limited interaction with human
beings
as caretakers have to wear masks and use pupper when approaching the
bird.
The caretakers have also, occasionally, included live prey into its
cage
to test its hunting skills.

Five groups from the Philippine Eagle Foundation, PNOC and Makilala and
Kidapawan City governments will be monitoring different areas within the

protected area to monitor the activities of these eagles. (Williamor A.

Magbanua/MindaNews)

[barontan2418]

Truly great news Steve, that such a magnificent bird is getting a helping hand. It would be a travesty if it were lost to the world.

Mick Baron

[Colin]

This is good news. I believe that, in terms of wingspan, that the Phillipine Eagle, sometimes called the Monkey-eating Eagle is the second largest eagle in the world after the Harpy Eagle of S. America. It would be great to be there when it flies free.

[steve_nova]

Yes, that is really great news Steve.

Colin, I think their is also a weight difference of something like 2lbs on average between the two species so, not too much between them really. Fabulous birds both of them.

Incidently, just how big in relation to these two is their African equivelent Spizaetus coronatus Crowned Eagle ?

[streatham]

i'm just waiting for someone to write in to the local paper saying that it took there budgie and suggesting a cull (sorry mind on another thread)

[cuckooroller]

Steve,

I think you mean Stephanoaetus (maybe someone does have it in Spizaetus?) Polemaetus is also pretty large.

[steve_nova]

LOL!

Another good characterful face shot of the African Crowned Eagle

A very nice painting of a Harpy Eagle

And of course, a very nice head shot of a Philippine Eagle

All three species I think you will agree, quite magnificent.

[steve_nova]

Originally Posted by cuckooroller

Steve,

I think you mean Stephanoaetus (maybe someone does have it in Spizaetus?) Polemaetus is also pretty large.

Thats the boy! Must be an old name that I used.

[cuckooroller]

White-tailed Eagle up to 6 kg. Also Harpyopsis is huge.

[Steve G]

What about Steller's Sea Eagle? -they always seem massive on the Wildlife documentaries.

[cuckooroller]

Originally Posted by Steve G

What about Steller's Sea Eagle? -they always seem massive on the Wildlife documentaries.

It should be huge also. Couldn't find it's weight though. Actually, couldn't find it for the Harpy either.

[steve_nova]

DK Animal states a weight (presumebly male/female) of 4-9kg (8¾-20 lb)

[Colin]

Hi all,
Yes, Sea Eagles are up there in 3rd or 4th place depending on which literature you read. There are lots of ranking possibilities, e.g. wingspan, weight, total wing area etc. It's not really important but they are huge birds and in my opinion absolutely beautiful creatures but so are Pallas's Warblers and the like and they are tiny.

[jurek]

Good news,

I am worried about habitat loss - is release of captive-bred birds sensible?

[cuckooroller]

Jurek,
I know what you mean, but, we have to have faith on this thing. If we cave in to the thinking that rare birds from now on will exist only as relict populations in some breeding center then the game is up! We might as well start converting the whole planet into a shopping mall. One of the major reasons that what little habitat conservation is going on is the presence of rare and threatened birds living in it. If we don't re-release when we have a reasonable chance of re-establishing populations then the corrupt politicos that exist everywhere around the world have a free hand to uproot everything while they line their pockets and the devil take it!!

[cuckooroller]

Following Up On The Release of The Philippine Eagle

PHILIPPINE EAGLE FOUNDATION
EXPERIMENTAL RELEASE PROJECT

LOGISTICAL DETAILS

Where and when will all these happen?

On March 30, Kabayan will be transported via helicopter from the
Philippine Eagle Center in Malagos, Davao City, arriving at Site B of
the PNOC Geothermal Reserve in Kidapawan City, Cotabato by 8 o'clock
in the morning. The bird will be immediately transferred to the hack
box upon arrival at the site. A short program and reception follows
after.

On April 22, a short program shall be held at 8 o'clock in the
morning before the hack box will be opened at 9am. Guests may take
their time to observe the bird at their convenience until the
reception at 11 o'clock.

Hack site conditions.

The hack site is approximately 75 steps through the forest from the
roadside. Rugged footwear and rain jackets are recommended. Site B
is approximately 1200 meters (3900 ft.) above sea level (the peak of
Mt. Apo is about 3000 m or 9842 ft.) with cool to cold temperatures.

The observation area is 10 meters away from the hack box. Everyone
is asked to stay behind the camouflaged blinds during observation.
The blinds run a length of 10 meters and will allow only up to 15
observers at a time. Peep holes measuring approximately 5 x 8 inches
will be cut into the blinds.

Members of guests' entourage are requested to stay at the Program
Hall. Please note that PEF's field biologists will also be at the
observation area to take notes on the bird's progress. Minimal noise
is requested so as not to startle the bird.

How to get there?

The PNOC reserve is at Barangay Ilomavis, Kidapawan City, Cotabato
and is approximately four hours' drive from Davao City. The road
from Davao to Kidapawan is generally smooth, while the section from
Kidapawan to PNOC is mostly gravel and is at a 45º incline in some
parts.

A helipad is available at Genatilan town (coordinates N 06º 59.44, E
125º 13.703), and is only about 30 minutes away from the PNOC
entrance gate.

Transportation from Davao City to the release site and vise versa
will be made available at scheduled intervals. Reservation is
required.

Access

The PNOC is a restricted access facility. Everyone is required to
forward the names and vehicle information (Make and Model, Color,
Plate Number) of their party to the PEF for processing of access
passes.

Philippine Eagle Foundation

VAL Learning Village, Ruby St.

Marfori Heights, Davao City



Tel + 63 82 2243021

Fax + 63 82 2243022

Save paper, email us at phileagl@info.com.ph

www.philippineeagle.org

[Motmot]

Steller's 4900g-9000g
Harpy 4000g-9000g
Philippine 4700-8000g
Martial 3000-6200g
Crowned 2700-3853g

We have two fat winners!!

Data from HBW

[cuckooroller]

How big is Harpyopsis?

[Motmot]

Midget.
1600-2400g

[cuckooroller]

Another Follow-up On This Release

FYI.

-----Original Message-----
From: MindaNews [mailto:carol@mindanews.com]
Sent: Tuesday, March 30, 2004 8:38 PM
To: MindaNews@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [MindaNews] Philippine Eagle Kabayan moved to Mt. Apo for
eventual release to the wild

M30eagle

Philippine Eagle Kabayan moved to Mt. Apo for eventual release to the
wild
By Keith Bacongco/MindaNews

KIDAPAWAN CITY -(MindaNews/30 March) -- Philippine Eagle Kabayan, the
first
captive-bred large forest eagle in Asia to be released to the wild, was
transported this morning to the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC)
Geothermal Production Field at Brgy. Ilomavis on the slope of the
country's
highest peak, Mt. Apo, to allow it to acclimatize before its final
release
on Earth Day, April 22.

Kabayan is still on a "soft release" phase -- inside a bigger cage
within
the forest setting, to acclimatize the bird until it leaves the cage and

spread its wings over Mt. Apo on Earth
Day, April 22.

The 17-month old eagle, conceived, hatched and bred in captivity at the
Philippine Eagle Center in Malagos, Davao City was transported to the
PNOC
production field three hours away, on board an airconditioned Nissan
Pathfinder. It is Kabayan's first introduction to a real forest habitat.

Kabayan was named after Senator Noli de Castro, candidate for vice
president. De Castro had earlier adopted Kabayan. An adoptive parent
provides P100,000 a year for the food and upkeep of the eagle.

As soon as the team from the Philippine Eagle Foundation arrived at the
site, Kabayan was immediately placed in the hack box, a temporary cage
made
of cyclone wire. The cage is surrounded with over five feet-high cyclone

wire fence covered with camouflage-colored cloth with small holes, where

observers or caretakers' could peek 10 meters away from the eagle.

Biologist Domingo Tadena, deputy director of the Philippine Eagle
Foundation, said Kabayan will reside for three weeks in the hack box for

acclimatization.

"The eagle needs to adjust first in the new environment," Tadena said in
an
interview. He added that observers or caretakers must stay 10 meters
away
from the eagle to prevent behavioral fixation by the bird on human
presence
and associate this
with food availability.

At around 10 in the morning, the eagle was fed half a kilo of rabbit
meat.
But the eagle didn't immediately eat the meat after it was placed inside

the hack box.

"It will not immediately eat the meat especially now that the eagle is
in a
new environment," said PEF staff Edison Dayos as he recalled that even
in
the past, eagles brought to the Philippine Eagle Center for
rehabilitation
would not immediately eat the meat they would feed. "It has to adjust
first
since the eagle is in a new environment. It will take few hours before
it
will eat the meat."

Hatched in November 23, 2002, Kabayan is the offspring of Junior and
Kahayag through cooperative artificial insemination.

It now weighs 4.05 kilograms.

Several eagles have been released by the PEF in the past but Kabayan
marks
the first time that an eagle conceived and bred in captivity, is to be
introduced to a forest habitat.

Previously released eagles came from the wild and were rehabilitated and

treated for their injuries at the Philippine Eagle Center before they
were
returned to the wild

The Experimental Release Project, is designed to document the released
bird's adjustment to its new environment and to test release protocols
for
application to the Philippine Eagle.

Engr. Elseworth Lucero, PNOC resident manager, said, like children, the
staff has been awaiting this day.

In the past weeks, Lucero said they have been thinking what they would
do
with the eagle as its new guest and how they could help to make its
eventual release to the wild successful.

"This is a giant step on the part of the conservation and breeding
program of the PEF. These eagles that are in their cages should not stay

forever in the cages but returned to where they belong," Lucero said
before
the PEF staff, PNOC and guests after the eagle was placed in the hack
box.
(Keith Bacongco/MindaNews)