Meet “Geothermica” and “Sambisig.”
They are the new Philippine “ambassadors of biodiversity” to Singapore.
The two critically endangered eagles were loaned by Philippines to Singapore to help breed for 10 years and eventually contribute to wildlife conservation.
Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) or great monkey-eating eagle is the Philippine’s national bird and crown jewel for biodiversity. It is world’s largest and heaviest known eagle whose wingspan can reach 6-7 ft. Conservationists estimate that its population now only stands to 400 pairs due to deforestation and relentless hunting.
Singapore showed off to the press the eagle pair Geothermica and Sambisig last Wednesday at Wildlife Reserves Singapore main aviary.
The Philippines and Singapore agreed to loan the two bird raptors last June to commemorate their 50 years of diplomatic relations.
It echoes “panda diplomacy” of China which the Asian giant extends to countries friendly to them.
“Any future offspring of the eagles will be returned to the Philippines to contribute to the sustainability of the species’ population,” said Wildlife Reserves Singapore.
The Philippine environment department also sees this loan agreement as an “insurance” or fallback measure in the event catastrophic events like disease outbreaks or extreme natural calamities take place in natural habitats of the Philippine Eagle in the Philippines.
Recently, the avian flu hit the Philippines and fortunately did not affect the Philippine Eagle population. If it it, it would have wiped out the Philippine Eagle, conservationist said.
The eagles will also be showcased at the Jurong Bird Park in Singapore.
“The Philippine eagle is an ideal ambassador of Philippine biodiversity, perfect for the purpose of generating awareness on the urgent need for conservation,” DENR Roy Cimatu earlier said.
Geothermica and Sambisig were first bred by Philippine Eagle Foundation in Davao City.
Geothermica, named after its first sponsor Energy Development Corporatin, is a 15-year old soon of Junior and Kahayag.
Sambisig, on one hand, is the female eagle, 17 years old and born by the most prolific pair Sam and Diamante.
