The Untimely Fate of Chick 30

Philippine eagle chick 30 during his transfer to the intensive care incubator unit

Davao City — The Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) shares with great sadness the passing of Chick No. 30, a 17-day-old male Philippine eagle, on November 29, 2024, at the National Bird Breeding Sanctuary (NBBS). This heartbreaking loss is a solemn reminder of how delicate chick-rearing can be and how critically endangered species are particularly vulnerable.

Chick No. 30, the offspring of Sinag and Pin-pin, initially displayed normal behavior and feeding patterns. However, on November 26, he began exhibiting respiratory distress, including labored breathing and sneezing. Immediate interventions, such as oxygen therapy and fluid suctioning, stabilized his condition. Despite dedicated care and monitoring, the chick’s health declined, and resuscitation efforts ultimately proved unsuccessful.

A necropsy conducted by Dr. Bayani Vandenbroeck pointed to a yolk sac retention (omphalitis) and its resulting complications, as the possible cause of death. Chick No. 30’s weight was also significantly below the expected range for his age.

“Of all the chicks that they’ve successfully hatched and raised, this is the first time that the PEF breeding team had a case of yolk sac retention, which is usually linked to infection or other causes. Strict hygiene and management protocols were followed, so we did not expect this at all, but we will probe where else we can improve"" Dr. Bayani said in a statement.

“The loss of Chick 30 is a challenging setback for our team, as we faced unexpected complications despite our best efforts. This loss pushes us to learn, adapt, and strengthen our care practices moving forward," said Domingo Tadena, NBBS Facility Manager.

The Philippine Eagle Foundation assures its partners, supporters, and the public that it is already implementing measures based on these findings.

As we mourn this loss, we also draw inspiration from the lessons learned, which will guide us in our mission to protect and recover the Philippine eagle population. We remain steadfast in our dedication to ensuring the survival of this iconic species.