Compostela, Davao de Oro — Conservation hopes soared this week after Mount Tambuyong, part of the same mountain range as Bermuda Side 4 in Compostela, was identified as a potential habitat for the critically endangered Philippine Eagle. The finding came during a recent field monitoring mission led by the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Monkayo, in collaboration with the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) and the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) Compostela.
Early assessments revealed that Mount Tambuyong remains one of the province’s richly forested strongholds, boasting dense canopy cover, abundant wildlife, and diverse prey species—conditions essential for sustaining the country’s national bird. The rugged slopes, deep valleys, and wide forest expanses offer ideal nesting and hunting grounds for the majestic raptor, known globally for its rarity and ecological significance.
The monitoring team noted that while the initial findings are promising, a full-scale biodiversity assessment is needed to determine potential nesting sites and evaluate the ecological health of the area. Such an assessment would include mapping wildlife presence, analyzing habitat stability, and identifying threats. To strengthen research-based conservation, CENRO and PEF plan to tap academic institutions to support long-term scientific studies in the region.
CENR Officer Gretel B. Basoc stressed that Philippine Eagle conservation goes hand-in-hand with protecting the forests they depend on. “When we protect the eagle, we protect the ecosystem that supports it,” Basoc said, emphasizing that thriving forest habitats help maintain ecological balance and reduce local vulnerability to natural disasters such as landslides and flash floods.
PENR Officer Rita Fe C. Gunn echoed the call for stronger environmental stewardship, underscoring the eagle’s symbolic role in forest protection. “The Philippine Eagle serves as a powerful symbol of forest conservation and environmental stewardship. Protecting this species means protecting the forests that sustain all life,” she said.
With these new findings, conservation agencies say the momentum is clear: Mount Tambuyong stands as a vital biodiversity refuge, and its protection must be prioritized. Environmental officials vow to intensify forest preservation efforts not only in Mount Tambuyong but across all critical landscapes in Davao de Oro, ensuring that the King of Philippine Forests—and the rich ecosystem it represents—continues to thrive for generations.