Philippine Eagle Sawaga-Dalwangan, Rescued by the Daraghuyan Community, Continues to Recover

2 days ago
2 min read

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

*Philippine Eagle Sawaga-Dalwangan in her current condition inside her confinement enclosure, showing significant clinical improvement nearly two weeks after her rescue.*

Davao City, Philippines — Sawaga-Dalwangan, a young Philippine Eagle believed to be female, continues to recover under intensive veterinary care and close monitoring.

Marvin Linoy rescued the eagle with help from the Daraghuyan Ancestral Domain Indigenous Political Structure and the Inhandig Tribal Multi-Purpose Cooperative. The community immediately turned the eagle over to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the City Government of Malaybalay for emergency care and proper coordination.

When Sawaga-Dalwangan was rescued on 3 July, she was weak, dehydrated, and unable to eat on her own. She had several wounds and a severe maggot infestation on her wings, abdomen, and tail area. X-rays also showed two metal pellets in her body—one in her wing and another in her left thigh.

*The metallic bullet lodged in the subcutaneous layer of her right wing before it was surgically removed.*

The veterinary team gave her fluids, wound treatment, antibiotics, pain medicine, assisted feeding, and continuous care.

Close up look at the actual removing of the maggots at the tail part of Philippine Eagle Sawaga-Dalwangan.

Sawaga-Dalwangan is now alert and responsive. She is eating on her own, her wounds are clean, and the maggot infestation is gone. She has completed her antibiotics and other medicines, and there are no signs of an active infection.

Veterinarians successfully removed the small metal pellet from her wing. The other pellet remains deep inside her left thigh. It will be closely watched, and removal may be considered when she is fully recovered and strong enough for the procedure.

*The spherical metallic bullet removed from Philippine Eagle Sawaga-Dalwangan's right wing. It measures more than half a centimeter in diameter.*

Disease testing is being done by the Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory XI of the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office XI in Davao City. Sawaga-Dalwangan tested negative for Avian Influenza. Results for Newcastle Disease and Aspergillosis are still pending.

These three diseases are serious health threats to eagles and other birds. Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease are highly infectious viral diseases. Aspergillosis is a fungal infection that can be fatal, especially in weak or stressed birds.

*Ventrodorsal radiograph of Philippine Eagle Sawaga-Dalwangan, showing the locations of the metallic bullets lodged in her body.*

Blood samples will also be sent to the University of the Philippines Diliman to confirm the eagle’s sex through DNA testing. The samples will also be studied to help identify her possible ancestry, geographic origin, and genetic relationship to other known Philippine Eagle populations.

Once all disease test results are negative and she is medically stable, Sawaga-Dalwangan will be transferred from Dr. Bayani’s Animal Wellness Clinic, where she is receiving intensive and closely guarded care, to the Philippine Eagle Center’s quarantine facility in Malagos, Davao City. There, she will continue her rehabilitation, monitoring, and recovery.

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For confirmations, interview requests, and coverage arrangements, please contact:

IRICK L. FRANCISCO

Communications Officer and Conservation Education and Development Interim Lead

Philippine Eagle Foundation

irickfrancisco.work@gmail.com | 0962-842-3464