In a heartwarming event in Magpet, North Cotabato, a young Philippine serpent eagle was set free on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, following its rescue from a net in Barangay Tagbac’s Sitio Ambag. The eagle, weighing 0.6 kilograms and boasting a wingspan of 116.84 centimeters, had been ensnared while attempting to catch a chicken on Monday afternoon. The rescue operation was a collaborative effort between the Protected Area Management Office-Mt. Apo Natural Park and the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office-Cotabato. After being examined at the Kidapawan City Veterinary Office and found to be in good health, the eagle was promptly released back into its natural habitat, as confirmed by Felix Alicer, Director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Soccsksargen (DENR-12). In a separate but related incident, a concerned citizen intervened to prevent the illegal sale of an injured male Chinese sparrowhawk in Barangay Poblacion, turning the bird over to the provincial environment office on February 6. The sparrowhawk, suffering from stress and an unresponsive right leg, is currently in rehabilitation and will be released upon recovery. Additionally, a Philippine hawk-eagle rescued earlier is being cared for at the DENR-12 Regional Wildlife Rescue Center in Lutayan, Sultan Kudarat, awaiting release after veterinary clearance.
