The recent death of Uswag, a male Philippine eagle reintroduced into the wild, has deeply saddened the environmental and conservation community.
Uswag's tragic accident occurred just over a month after his release, together with another eagle, when he accidentally crashed into the ocean and drowned. His carcass was found last August 3 in the waters off Pilar, Cebu, after an intensive 43-hour search.
Initial speculation about foul play was dismissed after a necropsy confirmed that there was no evidence of shooting or any other malicious act.
The Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) concluded that Uswag's death was due to accidental drowning, likely caused by disorientation from the southwest monsoon's winds and rains, which led him to lose his flight bearings and fall into the sea.
This incident, though rare, highlights the challenges faced by reintroduced wild eagles in the Philippines. Uswag's death marks the ninth known case of wild eagles accidentally crashing at sea in the country, and it is especially notable as he was the first reintroduced wild eagle with a GPS tracking device to suffer this fate.
The loss of such a healthy and endangered eagle underscores the difficulties in ensuring the survival of these majestic birds even after successful rehabilitation and release.
Photos By Joselle R. Badilla
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