Metal pellets found in rescued Philippine eagle, necropsy shows

Marcos Jelo Apolinario

The Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) said a necropsy on a rescued Philippine eagle from Bukidnon found metal pellets embedded in the bird’s body, supporting veterinarians’ earlier findings that there was no evidence it had been attacked by monkeys. 

The eagle, named Sawaga-Dalwagan, was rescued on July 3 after residents found it weak and injured in Bukidnon.

Initial accounts from the rescue site suggested that the critically endangered raptor had been attacked by a troop of monkeys.

However, the Philippine Eagle Foundation said the necropsy confirmed the presence of two metal pellets embedded in the eagle’s right wing and left thigh. 

Veterinarians also found no bite marks, claw wounds, or other injuries that would indicate an attack by monkeys.

According to the foundation, the pellets had no fresh entry wounds, indicating they had been lodged in the eagle’s body before it was rescued. 

The necropsy also showed that the bird suffered from severe dehydration, extensive maggot infestation, and multiple injuries, suggesting it had been incapacitated for several days before it was found. 

The Philippine Eagle Foundation said the necropsy findings do not support the earlier claim that monkeys caused the eagle’s injuries. 

The foundation also noted that there is no documented record of Philippine eagles being attacked by troops of monkeys based on field research and monitoring. 

Despite receiving emergency veterinary care and rehabilitation, Sawaga-Dalwagan died on July 17 due to the severity of its condition.

The Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi), the country’s national bird, is listed as Critically Endangered, with habitat loss and human-related threats continuing to endanger the species in the wild.