DINALUPIHAN, Bataan – Trader Alexander Rufino recently returned to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) what he thought was a Philippine eagle.
However, Rufino said he fed and took good care of it, spent his hard-earned money in buying chicks, chickens and fish as food for the bird he placed in a bamboo cage.
Mila Ramirez, wildlife officer of the provincial office of the DENR in Bataan, later identified the bird as Red-backed Sea Eagle or Brahminy Kite (lawin).
It is listed under the Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade on Endangered Species (CITES) and the National Red List of Philippine Wild Fauna. It has Haliastur Indus for its scientific name.
“Kasalukuyang umuulan noon at nag-iiyakan ang mga manok kaya pala may agila na basa ang pakpak na nang hulihin namin ay nanlaban at nabutas ang kamay ko ng matalim na kuko nito,” he said while showing his hand.
The trader said someone has to help him remove the claw of the bird that penetrated his upper palm.
“Alam kong kakaunti na lamang ang agila sa Pilipinas kaya sa tulong ng aming Purok leader na si Mandy de Leon, tinext ko ang ang isang TV network na gusto kong isurender sa DENR ang agila,” Rufino said.
He said the TV station immediately coordinated with the DENR provincial office that in turn endorsed the matter to its community environment and natural resources officer (CENRO) in Roosevelt Park, Dinalupihan town.
CENRO Ricky Hernandez thanked the TV station for informing them and Rufino for his desire to surrender the bird that he said was indeed an endangered specie.
“Because DENR lacks the facility in Bataan, we will turn over the bird to the Wild Life in Need center in Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority that will determine if it will be ready for release,” Hernandez said.
Some neighbors that included small children and adults watched in awe as the bird stretched its two wings and once in a while cried and flew. Each wing has about 15 inches in length. Its claws are sturdy and tightly hold on where it stood.
