The Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) has achieved a historic milestone with the first-ever unassisted natural hatching of a Philippine eagle in its 38-year conservation efforts. The foundation announced that the eaglet, named Riley, hatched on January 16, 2025, marking a major breakthrough for the species’ survival.
Born to eagle parents Sinag and Dakila, Riley symbolizes hope for the critically endangered national bird of the Philippines. The PEF emphasized that this event highlights the resilience of their conservation work, as habitat destruction and hunting continue to threaten the species.
“Riley is growing stronger every day,” the PEF stated, adding that the chick will soon be moved to a larger nest to accommodate its rapid growth.
The announcement comes after a recent setback in the foundation’s breeding program. In November, another Philippine eagle chick, hatched through artificial insemination, died at just 17 days old due to complications from yolk sac retention. The PEF noted that this condition, often caused by bacterial infection, underscores the challenges of raising these rare raptors.
With only an estimated 392 pairs left in the wild and 30 hatched in captivity, the foundation remains committed to breeding and, ultimately, reintroducing the eagles into their natural habitat. However, the organization has yet to achieve a successful release in nearly four decades of operation.
Philippine eagles require vast forested areas to thrive, with each pair needing at least 4,000 hectares of land for hunting. However, deforestation and human activity continue to threaten their population. The PEF reiterated its call for stronger conservation efforts to protect these majestic birds and ensure their survival for future generations.
