On May 8, 2025, the forests of Leyte witnessed a powerful moment of hope and renewal as two majestic Philippine eagles—Sinabadan and Kalatungan 1—were released back into the wild. These raptors, once injured and grounded, now soar freely again, marking the second year of the Philippine Eagle Species Reintroduction Program and a crucial step toward reviving the species in Eastern Visayas.
Kalatungan 1, a male eagle, took the first flight with powerful beats of his wings. He had been rescued from Bukidnon in 2024, weakened by a gunshot wound. Thanks to months of expert veterinary care and flight rehabilitation at the Philippine Eagle Center, he regained his strength and instinct for survival. His release is both a personal victory and a testament to human compassion and science-driven conservation.
Sinabadan, his cohort-bonded partner, lingered in the enclosure for over an hour before taking to the skies. Her return to the wild was just as significant. Rescued in 2023 from Mt. Tangkulan, Bukidnon, Sinabadan was named by the Bagobo Tagabawa Indigenous community of Sibulan at Mt. Apo, where she hatched in 2013. Her release also represents a cultural homecoming—an eagle named by Indigenous wisdom now helping to heal the land.
Both eagles are now equipped with GPS and VHF transmitters, allowing conservationists to monitor their movements and ensure their safety as they adapt to their new home in the forests surrounding the Mahagnao Volcano Natural Park. A third eagle, Lakpue, will join them soon, strengthening the effort to build a stable population in the region.
This release is more than symbolic. It is a lifeline for one of the rarest and most critically endangered birds on the planet. With only an estimated 400 pairs left in the wild, the Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) is a national treasure under threat from deforestation, habitat loss, and human hunting. Each eagle saved and returned to the forest is a victory in the long and challenging fight for their survival.
The success of this rewilding effort was made possible by a remarkable coalition of partners—from government agencies like the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and its regional offices, to NGOs, private donors, scientists, veterinarians, and local communities. Among the key supporters were the Protected Area Management Office of Mahagnao Volcano Natural Park, the local governments of Burauen, La Paz, and McArthur, the Mohamed bin Zayed Raptor Conservation Fund, Insular Life, and the EDC, as well as the residents of Barangays Kagbana, Mahagnao, and San Vicente.
These efforts remind us that protecting wildlife is not just about the animals—it’s about preserving ecosystems, honoring Indigenous knowledge, and ensuring a sustainable future for all life. Philippine eagles play a critical ecological role as apex predators; their presence indicates the health of the forest. By bringing them back, we are restoring more than a species—we are healing a habitat.
As Sinabadan and Kalatungan 1 glide through the skies of Leyte, they carry with them a message of resilience, unity, and hope. Their return is a call to action: to protect our remaining forests, to respect wildlife, and to continue investing in science-based, community-driven conservation.
The forest has welcomed them home. Now it’s up to us to make sure they—and others like them—stay wild and free.
