Matatag, a brown and white eagle, has definitely earned his name.
Photo from Philippine Eagle Foundation/Facebook
In 2011, weak and sickly, he was brought to the Philippine Eagle Center (PEC) in Davao City for caring and nurturing until he recovered and got his eagle-strength back in 2014.
PEF’s Andi Baldonado related that Matatag thrived in the wildlife until he was shot and was brought back to the center in 2016. “Matatag had a .22 caliber bullet wound that fractured his right wing. He has now fully recovered after undergoing treatment at the center.
“But his injury has permanently affected his flight so he cannot be released again because it risks his chance of survival in the wild,” said Baldonado.
Adopted by PLDT, Inc., through its Community Relations Division, the vigorous bird has endured a tough existence, from the harsh law of the jungle to the harsher cruelty of thoughtless, irresponsible humans. MVP Matatag has emerged victorious.
“Matatag forms part of PLDT’s efforts to contribute to the sustainable development of the country. This initiative is specific to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #15: Life on land which takes urgent action to protect animals, as well as plants,” shared PLDT community relations head Katherine Diaz De Rivera.
According to Diaz De Rivera, the project indirectly contributes to the Effective Environmental Stewardship sustainability pillar that makes up the PLDT Group’s Sustainability Framework as the company’s climate change mitigation efforts help both humans and highly vulnerable wildlife creatures like Matatag.
PLDT’s beloved eagle is now around 10 years old and in good health, the company reported. Matatag is currently in a relationship with his natural pair, Ariela.
PEF senior animal keeper Dominic Tadena observed that “they are preoccupied in building their nest bowl. Matatag himself uses the sprigs that I provide, to prepare their nest bowl for an egg. He even added freshly cut leaves from the mahogany tree in their breeding dome.”
The eagles’ keepers are anticipating an egg from Matatag and Ariela next month.