Bukidnon, Philippines — High in the rugged forests of Mt. Kalatungan Range, the rare and regal Philippine Eagle — known locally in Manobo languages as Mamboogook — continues to soar, thanks to the vigilance of local volunteers and conservationists.
In a heartening sign for wildlife conservation, a Philippine Eagle was successfully rescued in Barangay Portulin, Pangantucan, on July 10, 2025, while two more were sighted less than a month later in nearby Sitio San Guinto, Bacusanon. The back-to-back encounters reaffirm the ecological importance of this mountain range as one of the last strongholds for the country’s national bird.
The July rescue unfolded during a routine Protected Area Patrol in Mt. Kalatungan Range Natural Park. Bantay Lasang volunteer Bobby Mankiala and community elder Datu Johnny B. Guina were making their rounds when they spotted the massive raptor entangled in a tree branch — only five feet above the ground.
Standing at 1.5 meters and weighing around seven kilograms, the eagle appeared fatigued but uninjured. Thinking fast, Mankiala carefully cut the branch, freeing the bird. Moments later, the Mamboogook spread its broad wings and took flight once again, a sight that stirred both relief and pride among the rescuers.
“It was majestic — and it reminded us why we guard these mountains,” said Mankiala, whose work as a Bantay Lasang volunteer is part of a grassroots network protecting Bukidnon’s forests.
The incident was reported by Roy R. Aguanta, Protected Area Superintendent of Mt. Kalatungan Range Natural Park, and added to ongoing conservation records maintained by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region X through its Protected Area Management Office (PAMO).
Just weeks later, on August 6, 2025, a team from PAMO spotted two more Philippine Eagles during a Rapid Biodiversity Assessment and Aerial Ground Survey in Sitio San Guinto. These sightings, according to DENR X Regional Executive Director Henry A. Adornado, PhD, highlight the range’s role as a sanctuary.
“These multiple sightings within the span of a few days show that Mt. Kalatungan Range continues to serve as a vital refuge for the Philippine Eagle,” Adornado said. “This underscores the importance of our ongoing conservation efforts, including monitoring and protection of nesting sites.”
The Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) is one of the world’s rarest and most powerful birds of prey, with only a few hundred pairs remaining in the wild. Endemic to the Philippines and classified as critically endangered, it requires vast tracts of undisturbed forest to survive — making protected areas like Mt. Kalatungan indispensable to its future.
For the Manobo and other Indigenous communities, the Mamboogook is more than a symbol; it is a sacred creature woven into their cultural identity. Protecting the eagle means protecting the forest that sustains both wildlife and people.
As sightings and rescues continue to be documented, the DENR, Bantay Lasang volunteers, and local communities remain committed to safeguarding the highland forests. Their collaboration offers a hopeful reminder: with vigilance and respect for nature, even the rarest of wings can keep soaring.