Save Surigao forests for eagles, conservationists ask locals
GIGAQUIT, SURIGAO DEL NORTE—Conservationists and local leaders have joined forces to call for the protection of the forests of this frontier town and other areas in Surigao del Norte province to secure nesting sites for the critically endangered Philippine eagle, the country’s national bird.
On Monday, in celebration of World Wildlife Day 2026, the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF), together with the local government, launched the “Wildlife is Here in Gigaquit” campaign at Lasicam-Perral National High School in Barangay Sico-Sico.
The initiative aims to preserve the raptors’ remaining natural habitats in the province, where they maintain nesting sites.
“When you say nesting sites, this is the place where the eagles lay their eggs and reproduce. You should be very proud because one of the newly recorded ancient nesting sites in the world is found in Gigaquit,” Dr. Jayson Ibañez, PEF director for operations, told more than a hundred students, teachers, and local officials.
Ibañez said the PEF has recorded at least two nest trees within Gigaquit’s forests.
In August 2020, “Balikatan,” a male juvenile Philippine eagle, was rescued in Barangay Mahanub.
“Being a young eagle means his parents and their nest are near his rescue site,” he said.
In August 2025, Ibañez added, adult eagles were detected, along with the discovery of an old, inactive nest. Three months later, an adult eagle was photographed in flight carrying prey, and a new nest with an incubating female was discovered.
Education campaign
Last month, however, the female eagle abandoned the egg after more than two months of incubation, he said.
Laboratory examination showed that the egg was fertilized, but the embryo died early in the incubation period. According to Ibañez, the usual incubation period ranges from 56 to 58 days.
The PEF displayed the raptor’s egg during Monday’s event as part of its education campaign, which it hopes to expand in the area.
The discovery of the unhatched egg is “very important data because we have finally confirmed that in the forests of Surigao del Norte, particularly in Gigaquit, there is a pair of Philippine eagles,” Ibañez explained.
Retired Lt. Gen. William Hotchkiss III, president and chief executive officer of Cantilan Bank and a former PEF trustee, said protecting the town’s mountains and forests also means “protecting the ecological backbone of the Caraga region.”
