Philippine Eagle 'Uswag' Found Dead Off the Coast of Cebu

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The Philippine Eagle known as "Uswag" was discovered dead in the waters near Ponson Island in Pilar, Cebu, as reported by the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) on Monday.


According to PEF, the male eagle is believed to have drowned. A search and recovery operation was initiated on July 31 after GPS data indicated that Uswag was located at sea.


Discovery and Recovery


Three days later, the three-year-old eagle's carcass was found floating, entangled in seagrass and algae. Veterinarians estimated that Uswag had died four to five days prior to its recovery. “Sadly, it appears that due to the rains and winds brought on by the Southwest monsoon, Uswag lost its flight path and was swept out to sea,” PEF stated.


Cause of Death


An X-ray examination revealed that all of Uswag's bones were intact, showing no signs of fractures or trauma. There were also no indications of gunshot wounds or other injuries. “Upon inspection, there was no visible evidence of shooting, trauma, or any other anomalies,” PEF confirmed.


Released on June 28, Uswag was one of two Philippine Eagles set free in Leyte as part of the Species Reintroduction Project spearheaded by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and PEF.


Conservation Status


PEF noted that this incident marks the ninth recorded case of Philippine Eagles accidentally landing in the sea, with seven of those birds found alive. The eighth case occurred in Maasim, Sarangani Province, in 2022. The Philippine Eagle is classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, with an estimated population of only 400 pairs remaining in the wild.


The tragic loss of Uswag underscores the challenges faced by the critically endangered Philippine Eagle. As conservation efforts continue, it is crucial to raise awareness about the threats these majestic birds face in their natural habitat. The Philippine Eagle Foundation remains committed to protecting and preserving this iconic species for future generations.

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