A Philippine Eagle chick hatched via artificial insemination has died, an avian conservation foundation has announced, in a fresh setback for one of the world’s largest and most critically endangered raptors.
Habitat loss and ruthless hunting have caused a rapid decline in the number of Philippine Eagles, the national bird of the archipelago country.
These birds are often referred to as “monkey-eating eagles” due to their primary diet, which includes various species of mammals and birds found in their forest habitats.
The hatching of “Chick Number 30” last month briefly stirred hope that science and conservation could save the forest-dwelling raptor species, but expectations were soon cruelly dashed.
The successful artificial insemination technique used to hatch this chick was developed as part of ongoing efforts to boost the population of these eagles, which have faced severe threats from human activity.
“This heartbreaking loss is a solemn reminder of how delicate chick-rearing can be and how critically endangered species are particularly vulnerable,” the Philippine Eagle Foundation said in a statement.
The foundation has been at the forefront of conservation efforts for decades, working tirelessly to rehabilitate injured eagles and educate the public about the importance of preserving their natural habitat.
A product of artificial insemination, the 17-day-old male chick had been the first successful hatchling in the new facility.
This facility was established with state-of-the-art technology aimed at improving breeding success rates among these elusive birds.
Complications from a condition known as “yolk sac retention” were the possible cause of death, the statement said.
This condition, common in poultry farms, indicates the entry of bacteria through incubating eggshells or chick exposure to bacteria after hatching.
Philippine Eagles, known for their sumptuous head plumage and a 2-meter (seven-foot) wingspan, are difficult to mate, with some even killing unwanted suitors.
Their mating rituals are complex and often involve elaborate displays, making successful breeding a rare achievement.
There are only 392 pairs of the eagles remaining in the wild, with just 30 born in captivity, the foundation estimates.
The dwindling numbers emphasize the urgent need for conservation measures that not only focus on breeding but also on habitat protection and restoration.
The organization’s ultimate goal is to release the eagles back into the wild, but it has not once succeeded in its 37 years of operation.
Each pair needs at least 4,000 hectares (about 10,000 acres) of forest, a rapidly disappearing ecosystem in the Philippines, to hunt flying lemurs, palm civets, flying squirrels, and monkeys.
The loss of such vast areas of forest not only threatens their survival but also disrupts entire ecosystems that rely on these apex predators.
While underweight, the latest chick had initially displayed normal behavior and feeding patterns until November 26, when it began to exhibit labored breathing and sneezing, the foundation said. This sudden change in health raised alarms among caretakers who closely monitored its development.
“Of all the chicks that they’ve successfully hatched and raised, this is the first time that the (foundation) breeding team had a case of yolk sac retention, which is usually linked to infection or other causes,” Bayani Vandenbroeck, who conducted the necropsy, was quoted as saying.
“Strict hygiene and management protocols were followed, so we did not expect this at all, but we will probe where else we can improve.”
