Third Philippine eagle DNA study reveals hidden family ties, offering new hope for conservation
![[From left to right]: Philippine Eagles Lyra Sinabadan, a wild-hatched female rescued in Bukidnon in February 2023 with gunshot injuries, and later released in Leyte on May 8, 2025; CJ Lipadas, rescued along Lipadas River in Davao City in January 2024 after sustaining an injury from a marble gun that left him blind in his right eye; and Uswag, rescued in Davao City in August 2023 and released in Leyte on June 28, 2024, before tragically dying from accidental drowning a month later. Their stories highlight the threats Philippine Eagles face in the wild and the importance of rescue, rehabilitation, scientific monitoring, and sustained conservation efforts to protect the critically endangered species.](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d08c94_b177611150e4451fbec8ca4b40b34a29~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_593,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/d08c94_b177611150e4451fbec8ca4b40b34a29~mv2.jpg)
Latest genomic study reveals how understanding the genetic relationships of Philippine Eagles can help scientists make better breeding and conservation decisions.
The Hidden Story in an Eagle’s DNA
Philippine Eagles may look almost identical on the outside, but their DNA can reveal surprising differences, hidden family ties, and clues to their survival.
For one of the world’s rarest eagles, these hidden family connections could make a difference between a successful conservation breeding program and one that risks passing on too many of the same genes.
A new study published in Scientific Reports on October 17, 2026, has revealed important clues about the family relationships and genetic health of Philippine Eagles under the care of the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF).
By examining the DNA of 35 Philippine Eagles, scientists discovered that some birds rescued from the wild are closely related genetically. They also found signs that the rescued eagles from the wild came from more closely related parents than those bred in captivity.
The findings bring scientists closer to answering an important question: How can we help Philippine Eagles produce healthy future generations when so little genetic diversity remains?
Three Studies, One Bigger Picture
The latest discovery builds on two earlier studies that helped scientists understand the Philippine Eagle’s genetic past.
In December 2025, researchers published a study in Ecology and Evolution examining DNA passed from mothers to their offspring. Using samples from 32 Philippine Eagles, they discovered very low genetic diversity in these maternal lines and identified at least two groups of maternal ancestry.
The findings showed that preserving different maternal family lines could be important for the species’ future.
A second study, published in BMC Genomics in April 2026, examined a much larger portion of the eagle’s DNA, including genes inherited from both parents.
Using genetic information from 35 eagles, researchers found exceptionally low genetic diversity compared with other birds of prey. They also discovered that, long ago, the Philippine Eagle population dropped sharply on two separate occasions, leaving future generations with less variety in their genes.
These discoveries raised an important concern: Philippine Eagles are not only threatened by disappearing forests, hunting, and other dangers. Their limited genetic diversity may also make long-term recovery more difficult.
The third and latest study takes the next important step: identifying how individual eagles are genetically connected and how that information can guide conservation decisions today.
What the Latest Discovery Means for Philippine Eagles
The October 2026 study examined 35 Philippine Eagles under PEF care: 20 rescued from the wild and 15 bred in captivity.
Scientists studied thousands of genetic markers to understand how closely related the birds were and whether they showed signs of inbreeding.
One of the most important findings was that wild-rescued eagles showed higher levels of inbreeding than captive-bred eagles in the group studied.
Inbreeding happens when closely related animals reproduce. Over generations, this can increase the chances of harmful inherited conditions and reduce the genetic variety that helps populations survive environmental changes.
The researchers also found that some Philippine Eagles rescued from Mt. Apo range in Mindanao, including Uswag, CJ, and Lyra Sinabadan, may be closely related. Although they are not yet sure how these eagles are related, the findings suggest that some rescued eagles may have more family connections than previously thought.
Gavra was the only eagle from Samar included in the study. Its DNA was genetically distinct from that of the sampled Mindanao eagles.
This finding suggests that Philippine Eagles from different islands may carry genetic differences that deserve further investigation. However, more samples from Samar and other parts of the country are needed before scientists can determine how distinct these populations really are.
Why does this matter?
Imagine conservationists choosing two Philippine Eagles to become breeding partners. Both look healthy and strong, but DNA tests show that they are closely related. If these eagles breed, their chicks may have a higher risk of health problems, weaker resistance to diseases, or lower chances of survival. This is because closely related eagles may carry the same harmful genes, which can be passed on to their chicks.
Without genetic information, close relationships might be overlooked.
On the other hand, pairing eagles that are not closely related increases the chances of having healthy and strong chicks. This also helps ensure that future generations of Philippine Eagles have a better chance of surviving and thriving in the wild.
With genomic testing, conservationists can better evaluate potential breeding pairs, reduce the risk of pairing close relatives, and work toward preserving as much genetic diversity as possible.
The study also showed that DNA evidence generally agreed with known parent-offspring and other close family relationships among captive-bred eagles, providing another way to check breeding records.
This is where the latest research becomes especially valuable. It moves beyond describing the eagle’s genetic history and provides information that can support real conservation decisions.
Turning Science into Conservation Action
The research is part of the Philippine Eagle Genome Project, led by Dr. Cynthia Palmes Saloma, Dean of the University of the Philippines Diliman College of Science, and current Director of the UP Philippine Genome Center Program on Biodiversity, Ethnicity and Forensics.
According to Dr Saloma, “The project brings together geneticists and conservation practitioners to better understand the Philippine Eagle’s genetic makeup and apply scientific discoveries to the protection of the species.”
“DNA can reveal family connections that we cannot see by simply looking at an eagle. This knowledge can help us make better breeding decisions and protect the genetic diversity that future generations will need”, Dr Saloma added.
For Philippine Eagle Foundation Executive Director Dennis Salvador, the findings provide another important tool for saving the species.
“Every Philippine Eagle is precious. But each bird also carries genes that may be important for the survival of the species. Understanding these genetic differences helps us plan better for their future.” Mr Salvador said.
Dr. Hector C. Miranda Jr., first Filipino Ph.D. in ornithology and pioneer in Philippine avian molecular evolution and phylogenetics, sees the research as an important step in bringing modern science into wildlife conservation.
Miranda, who currently serves as Dean of the Honors College at Texas Southern University, has long supported the use of molecular science to strengthen conservation programs.
“It is exciting to see Philippine Eagle conservation benefit from advances in genetic research. The inclusion of genetics-based population management in the latest Species Action Plan is a major step toward making conservation efforts more effective,” he added.
The three studies show how scientific partnerships can help the Philippine Eagle Foundation move from understanding the species’ genetic past to making better decisions about its future.
Protecting Both the Eagles and the Genes They Carry
The latest findings open new opportunities for Philippine Eagle conservation.
Genetic information can help conservationists select suitable breeding pairs, improve family records, and preserve valuable genetic differences among birds under human care.
The research also highlights the need to study more Philippine Eagles from different parts of the country, especially areas outside Mindanao. Understanding these differences could help scientists develop better strategies for managing the species across its remaining range.
Another opportunity is to work with reputable zoological institutions in other countries through carefully planned conservation loans of Philippine Eagles. Qualified international partners could contribute specialized breeding facilities, veterinary care, and scientific expertise, while expanding the number of suitable breeding options beyond a single facility.
Guided by DNA results, such partnerships could help match less closely related birds, avoid breeding close relatives, and preserve more of the genetic diversity that remains. Any international loan would need strong animal-welfare safeguards, coordinated genetic management, and the necessary Philippine government and international approvals. The aim would be a shared conservation breeding program that supports the long-term recovery of the Philippine Eagle—not simply moving birds overseas.
But DNA alone cannot save the Philippine Eagle.
Even the best breeding program cannot secure the species’ future without safe forests where eagles can live, hunt, find mates, and raise their young.
Protecting nesting territories, preventing the killing of eagles, reducing threats from power lines, and maintaining connected forest habitats remain essential to the species’ survival.
The first genomic study traced the eagle’s maternal family lines. The second revealed how little genetic diversity remains and how the population changed over time. The third now shows how DNA can help conservationists understand individual birds and make more informed management decisions.
Together, these studies mark an important advance in Philippine Eagle conservation.
The Philippine Eagle’s future is written partly in its DNA. But whether that future survives will depend on what we do today.
###
About the Published Research
The findings featured in this press release are based on three complementary genomic studies published in Ecology and Evolution (December 2025), BMC Genomics (April 2026), and Scientific Reports (October 2026).
The third and latest paper, “Genomic diversity, population structure, and relatedness of critically endangered Philippine eagles under conservation management,” was published in the international peer-reviewed journal Scientific Reports on October 17, 2026.
Authors: Franchesca Pascual, Dhan Mikhail Perdon, Francis Tablizo, Carlo Lapid, John Michael Egana, Renato Jacinto Mantaring, Kris Punayan, Shiela Mae Araiza, Jo-Hannah Llames, Ma. Celeste Abad, Juan Carlos Gonzalez, Jayson Ibañez, and Cynthia Palmes-Saloma.
The study is a collaboration involving researchers from the Philippine Genome Center at the University of the Philippines System, the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at UP Diliman, the University of the Philippines Los Baños, the Philippine Eagle Foundation, and the University of the Philippines Mindanao.
Full open-access paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-76205-5
The complete paper is freely available to researchers, journalists, students, conservation practitioners, and the public.
About the Philippine Eagle Foundation
The Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to conserving the critically endangered Philippine Eagle and its habitat. Founded in 1987, PEF focuses on research, conservation breeding, community-based initiatives, and education programs to protect the species and promote environmental sustainability. Based in Davao City, the foundation operates the Philippine Eagle Center, which serves as a conservation breeding facility, education hub, and research institution. PEF collaborates with various stakeholders, including indigenous communities, government agencies, and private sector partners, to ensure the survival of the Philippine Eagle and the preservation of the country’s rich biodiversity.
__________________________________________________________________________________
For media inquiries, please contact:
Irick L. Francisco
Communications, Education and Development (Interim) Lead
0962-842-3464
Comments