Educational Tour Manual

Introduction
Aside from groking the essential information about the Philippine Eagle Foundation
(PEF), this educational tour guiding manual serves as a model of the step-by-step processes and
operations involved in aiding the visitors’ tours within the Philippine Eagle Center. Although this
provides the basic steps and information of tour guiding, applying a combination of these steps
or adding something new can make your tour engaging, fulfilling, and comfortable.

There are numerous styles in making your tour guiding process enjoyable yet ensuring
people have a lot of takeaways. But one of the most critical aspects in deciding how to achieve
effectively your goals in tour guiding is to know your visitors/tourists. Identify what tone and
style you can use in touring the visitors.

By assessing the age bracket of your visitors, you can find the most suitable tone and way
of communicating with them during the tour. Aside from being well-equipped with all the facts
regarding the PEF, building rapport with the visitors is essential to effectively convey our visions
and missions among the tourists, while establishing connections and networks for possible
donors, sponsors, and partners.

But even if you become a walking encyclopedia who knows everything about the PEF, it
is always integral to know the mission and vision of the foundation, and what we do beyond the
conservation actions. Knowing the PEF’s vision and mission and spreading it to all visitors are
core to establishing well-informed individuals about our conservation efforts.

Our Mission

The Philippine Eagle Foundation believes that the fate of the Philippine Eagle, the
health of our environment, and the quality of Philippine life are inextricably linked. We
are, therefore, firmly committed to ensuring the survival of the Philippine Eagle, the
biodiversity it represents, and the sustainable use of our forest resources for future
generations to enjoy.

Our Vision

The Philippine Eagle Foundation envisions a country where lush green forests
exist in each of its major island groups with people helping the Philippine Eagle to grow
and thrive naturally. We look forward to seeing these forests continue to provide clean
 water, clean air, abundant wildlife, and products that will help sustain the needs of our
children and the generations of Filipinos yet to come.

Tour Guiding at the Philippine Eagle Center

A tour guide is a person who gives accurate information about a certain tourism
destination or event. In most case scenarios, the tour guide is like the tourists’ go-to
person when they inquire about different things.

The tour guides determine the initial first-hand impression that a tourist could
perceive about the place. They can be our best promoter for visitors to experience an
exhilarating stay in the PEC–converting such tourists into effective partners of the PEF.

Similar to an ambassador of the place, tour guides must possess exceptional

qualities that can efficaciously promote the destination and educate the visitors. More
than educating the tourists in PEC, the tour guides are gearing towards behavioral change
campaigns in which tourists can deeply appreciate the PEF’s conservation efforts and
prompt them to extend their help through volunteerism, donorship, and partnership.

Qualities of a Tour Guide

1. Knowledgeability. A walking encyclopedia is the most typical description of a tour
guide. Although they do not sound lecturing, they have a wealth of information about the
place or its programs.
2. Accuracy & Authenticity. Although tour guides must know a lot of details about the
destination, they must also ensure that the facts they know are well-researched and up-to-
date.
3. Articulate. Speaking swiftly does not equate to being a smart or good talker. Speak
slowly with emphasis on the interesting and informative details.
4. Open-mindedness. Anyone can always have room to grow and learn; thus, it’s essential
to welcome new ideas, suggestions, and answers enthusiastically. If you do not know the
answer to a question, ask the PEF staff.
5. Patience & Tolerance. As you face all walks of life, you can likely encounter rude,
annoying, or even irritating tourists. Avoid arguments. Maintain your poise, smile, and
politeness.
6. Punctuality. Appear or report 30 minutes before the appointed time. Always follow the
visitors’ schedules.
7. Observe proper decorum:
a. Wear a proper and presentable dress.
b. Avoid crude actions like picking your nose, spitting, &, etc.
c. Do not chew gum or eat while conversing with tourists
 d. Avoid tantrums. Maintain a right and pleasant mood at all times.
e. Be honest, tactful, polite, and enthusiastic. Keep your sense of humor and self-
confidence. Relax and be cordial. Enjoy the tour as such enjoyment can radiate to
your audiences.
8. Resourceful. Learn to exhaust all means and resources to attain positive ends or resolve
issues and challenges.
9. Leadership. Keep the group under control and well-informed regarding time, what to
expect, and what to do.
10. Assess the tourists’ characters. Knowing what are the visitors’ characteristics,
peculiarities, and interests will aid you to adjust and cater to their interests and how to
please them.
11. Strictly collect no fees. As the PEF gears toward public education and conservation
awareness, it is our pride and dignity to make knowledge available for free to all visiting
guests. We only ask for donations or build connections for future sponsorships and
partnerships in continuing our conservation works.

Introducing PEC to Tourists

As you meet the visitors, an introduction is your first tool to make them feel welcome and
at ease. You can create different introductory strategies, but do not be overly formal. A
gratifyingly warm introduction creates a comfortable impression that they can ask questions and
discuss things with you during the tour. Creating an interactive and engaging tour for visitors
allows them to have fruitful experiences. Follow this sample introduction:

I would like to welcome you to the Philippine Eagle Center. My name is _____________
and I am one of the volunteers/staff of the Philippine Eagle Foundation.

Before we begin, let me ask how many of you have visited the center before. (Welcome
them back and express your gratitude, especially for the frequent/first-time visitors).

Our tour today will last for about thirty minutes to an hour. If you have limited time, do
not hesitate to inform me so that we could budget or efficiently utilize your limited time. (This is
usually applicable to walk-in visitors.)

The Philippine Eagle Foundation manages the 8.4-hectare Philippine Eagle Center (PEC).
We are a non-government organization (NGO), a non-profit conservation institution where the
PEC is our research, education, and captive breeding facility.

Do we have anyone who is a member or a ‘friend’ of the Philippine Eagle Foundation?

(If so, thank them for their unconditional support).
 I would like to begin by giving you a brief background of the Philippine Eagle
Foundation, the area it mainly handles–the Philippine Eagle Center, and what to expect here.
After this, we will then have a tour.

The PEF
At the forefront for over 35 years in saving our national bird, the PEF is an action-
oriented institution that transforms awareness among Filipinos into committing to saving eagles,
protecting forests, and securing our future.

The PEC
Nestled at the foothills of Mt. Apo, The Philippine Eagle Center (PEC) is adjacent to the
Malagos Watershed, Baguio District, Davao City. The foundation’s center primarily focuses on
the Philippine Eagle’s conservation through its captive breeding facility and wildlife
rehabilitation programs.

Although the facility dedicates to the conservation breeding and rehabilitation of the
eagles, the Philippine Eagle Center also serves as an integral conservation education and tourist
destination in Davao City. Other than Philippine Eagles, the PEC is home to many other wildlife
species. There was no animal taken from the wild to put on exhibit. All of our animals were
turned over or rescued after they were shot or severely injured, confiscated from the illegal pet
trade, or hatched for breeding purposes. Many of them get released back into the wild after
months or years of rehab and recovery. Unfortunately, not all are eligible for release due to
permanent injuries and other conditions. Thus, the PEC is their sanctuary and retirement center,
all while serving as education ambassadors to raise awareness on the significance of protecting
wildlife.

What to Expect
To date, the PEC houses 32 Philippine eagles. Exhibited Philippine Eagles are only 11
while the rest are tagged as breeding ones. The breeding eagles are secured in a safe and isolated
area within the facility that is not accessible to visitors. Other than the Philippine Eagles, the
PEC also houses eight species of birds, three species of mammals, and two species of reptiles.

Moreover, the center’s open and closed canopy area consists of the typical assemblage of
flora found in tropical rainforests. Most of the center’s flora and fauna are endemic and even
rare.

After this introduction (you may talk about these before entering or during the tour itself),
you can start traversing the whole area. So, if you have questions, please feel free to ask during
the tour.
What’s Inside the PEC?

The PEC,
aside from its lush greenery, comprises different functional areas. The areas are subdivided into:

Conservation Breeding Area

The conservation breeding area is where the breeding, imprinting and rehabilitating of
birds happen. Due to conservatory and biosafety measures, the area is restricted to the public,
and only the conservation breeding personnel are allowed to enter the site.

The conservation breeding area comprises:

● Breeding areas
Not allowed to be disturbed, this is where most of the natural pairs breed to perpetuate.

● Bird chambers/stations
An area out of public view, this is where non-imprinted and imprinted eagles reside.
When eaglets hatch, similar to the imprinting of other animals, they consider the first
thing they see moving as their parents or simply malimprinted. In eagles, they see that
moving person (the keeper in our case) as their partner, particularly when they reach
sexual maturity. Imprinting is an integral aspect of the center’s cooperative artificial
insemination. During the breeding season, imprinted birds breed and ejaculate with their
keepers (on a keeper’s thick leather glove), the keepers will obtain the semen and inject it
 into the females’ cloaca opening. Such a tedious process is vital to produce these
critically endangered birds.

But such a case is different for non-imprinted eagles. Eagles that are not malimprinted
usually have not seen humans. Keepers wear eagle mascots to avoid mal-imprinting. As
these birds have not seen humans or adapted to seeing humans, they are then suitable
candidates to be released into the wild.

● Chick rearing and incubation laboratory

The laboratory building is visible near the wild trail but not for public viewing as well. It
houses our incubation and rearing rooms where the Philippine Eagle eggs are incubated
and newly hatched eaglets are reared.

As a non-government organization (NGO), these eaglets are candidates for adoption until
they grow bigger. Eagle adopters can donate Php 200,000 (two hundred thousand pesos)
annually to cover the eagles’ upkeep, food, ad cage maintenance as well as the research
we conduct to learn more about them.

Food Stock & Kitchen Area

The area is a secluded facility where disease-free stocks are being raised. Most of the
common livestock raised in this area are white mice, guinea pigs, rodents, quails, and goats.
These animals as food stocks are rationed for the daily food requirements of all animals in the
center.

Hospital and Quarantine Facility

The threats of zoonotic and life-threatening diseases make the quarantine facility and
hospital essential to the center. This facility ensures that birds and other animals being rescued
are clinically treated and isolated before being transferred to the center. It is also where the
animals’ health is checked annually.

Exhibit Area
Open to the general public, this area is dedicated to animal exhibits. It starts in the lobby
with the gift shops and a huge pond. Additionally, major areas comprise the exhibit area:

PEC Trails
The park’s trail is divided into different areas to learn about different wildlife. It
has wild trails leading to the Raptor Road, Talon Alley, Macaque Island, Eagle Duplex
Enclosure, Raptor Garden, Rainforest Walk, AVR, Pairing Dome, Brown deer, and
Crocodile enclosures.
Close Canopy
As a typical rainforest flourishes adjacent to the center, enormous old trees cover
some portion of the wild trail along with the first few enclosures the Philippine Eagle
Foundation had built. Different endemic and rare birds even visit such canopies.

Enclosures & Flight zone

The open canopy serves as the plaza/exhibit part with the concrete pathways
leading to every enclosure, kiosk, and bench readily available for visitors. An assemblage
of flora in this area consists of exotic and wild plants common in forests.

Wild trails
The wild trails consist of concrete sidewalks/pavements that allow smooth
trailing, particularly among persons with disabilities (PWDs). The trails also contain the
names of the visitors that had donated to make such pavements constructed throughout
the center.

These wild trails proudly bear the names of visitors who donated for the upkeep
of the PEC’s education and maintenance expenses. For PHP 1,000 only, guests can have
their names etched on one of the steps at the trail. They can also donate on a friend’s
behalf. The block is valid for 3 years. Some of our guests write their organization,
company, school, or family member’s name. Registration forms are available at the gift
shop.

Flight Zone
This open area is a hub for the rescued birds’ enrichment activities. Flight
demonstrations, and socialization with their keepers and guests, give them a creative
outlet for physical activity, as well as a mental exercise. Enrichment gives sanctuary
animals options on how else to spend their time.

AVR (Audio-Visual Room)

Integral to enhancing conservation education and interactive learning, the AVR
allows visitors to view short videos and clips about Philippine eagle behaviors,
observations in the wild, eagle releases, and other content relevant to protecting the
environment. It also keeps Philippine Eagles preserved through taxidermy. This is also
where workshops and training with children, youth, and professionals are conducted, as
well as volunteer and intern orientations.

PEC Arboretum & Nursery

Although it’s still in its initial phase, the arboretum ensures the perpetuation of
endemic and even rare flora species in the center for public viewing. It serves as a library
 of trees, as well as a source of wildlings for future nursery establishment and eventually
tree planting activities.

Special Education Offers

The Philippine Eagle Center also offers educational programs as a package deal to a huge group
of visitors who booked such programs in advance. Special educational offers include:

Educational Tour Guiding

An engaging yet relaxing tour around the facility, this is a forest-bathing opportunity, all
while meeting our rescued, rehabilitated, and captive-bred animals. Guests can enjoy voluminous
unique flora and fauna at the Philippine Eagle Center. This is the best time to get to know more
about the eagles and learn about the PEF’s conservation efforts.

Keepers Talk
The activity is typically offered as part of the educational package when the raptors-in-
flight and open classroom program (Learn with Malaya) takes place. The event happens at Plaza
2, featuring a few of the center’s bird ambassadors. During the talk, the keeper discusses the
animal’s biology, characteristics, interesting facts, and life at the center. The visitors could also
interact with the keepers by asking them further questions and taking photos with the raptors as
souvenirs/keepsakes of their experience. In such a way, it helps visitors to learn and better
understand the animals at the center.

Raptors-In-Flight (RIF)

This flight demonstration is an amazing presentation of the raptors’ natural behaviors. It

is like a show, but one that doesn’t make the birds do tricks that can be stressful and harmful to
them. RIF allows visitors to witness the natural flight of a Philippine Eagle and other resident
birds of prey at the center. It aims to bring education and entertainment, as well as animal
enrichment, to the public. Education officers and animal keepers will be sharing interesting facts
and the status of the animals featured, and wildlife in general.

Virtual Tours

Launched during the pandemic, the PEC Virtual Tours enable visitors from different
parts of the globe to tour the PEC remotely. Due to the strict quarantine protocols during the
pandemic, this inspired online initiative was visualized to see the eagles and enjoy the lush views
- in the comfort of their own homes. These tours are still available for bookings to those who
cannot visit the place physically but wanted a virtual PEC field trip. Schools, families, clubs,
corporate teams, and any group willing to learn more about the eagles and the habitat they
represent are welcome to book this with the Conservation Education Team.

‘Learn with Malaya’, an Open Classroom Program

Designed for kids, ‘Learn with Malaya’ is an open classroom project where students can
have an actual learning interaction with wildlife and nature. The PEC’s education officers and
volunteers provide guided tours for these kids around the center. Kids learn through different
activities and interactive games, as well as watching short videos about the Philippine Eagles and
the foundation’s conservation programs. The program also aims to instill among the youth the
significance of protecting our wildlife and environment through conservation programs and
volunteerism.

Entering the PEC: Rules and Guidelines

As the premier breeding and rehabilitation center for Philippine Eagles and other wildlife,
the PEC implements a strict biosecurity protocol for visitors, volunteers, and staff.

Guidelines
1. Please observe silence when near the enclosures.
2. Do not tease or hurt the birds/animals to prevent them from getting aggressive—
avoiding them from hurting themselves or their keepers.
3. Do not feed the animals. They follow a special diet and schedule, with food strictly
grown and produced within the PEC grounds or sourced from reliable producers.
4. Do not pick any flowers/plants. If you’re interested in the center’s various plants, you
can buy seedlings at our nursery right next to the gift shop.
5. Keep off restricted areas. The emergence of Avian flu and other zoonotic diseases
prompted the PEF to enforce strict biosafety measures. Some parts of the center, such as
the kitchen, food stock, breeding and chick-rearing laboratory, and breeding chambers are
off-limits to tourists.
6. Trash in, Trash out: There are no trash bins inside the trail. Bring your trash with you
and throw them at the designated bins near the entrance.

Reminder: It is recommended to wear comfortable and outdoor-friendly attire during your visit.
Closed rubber shoes are highly recommended. For flight demonstrations, guests are discouraged
to wear white or bring white scarves. It could reflect light that could distract raptors in flight.
Remember the PEF’s wildlife rule: “Don’t Touch, Don’t Catch, Just Watch!

Animals in the PEC

Civet Enclosures
From the gift shop, you can walk straight to the left side where the oldest wild trails are located.
The first oldest trails were constructed way back in 2009. On the right side, you can see two
species of civets: the common palm and Malay civets.

Common Palm Civet (Scientific Name: Paradoxurus hermaphroditus)

IUCN Status: Least Concern

Also known as the ‘musang’ or ‘toddy cat’, the common palm civet is a
cat-sized mammal that typically resides in the Philippines, Malay
Peninsula, Indonesia, Southern China, and the Himalayas. A nocturnal omnivore and an expert
climber, the palm civet hunts alone. Their diet consists of insects, small vertebrates, fruits, and
seeds. They are particularly fond of coffee cherries. These coffee beans pass through their
digestive tract, breaking down only the outer ripe fruit. The undigested coffee seeds are the
source of the ‘kopi luwak’, one of the most expensive coffee cherries worldwide.

They spend most of their time up in the trees and sleep in vacant cavities or nooks. They
are also highly adaptive animals that can live in dense forests, agricultural areas, and even
alongside humans. Breeding occurs throughout the year, producing at least two to five liters.
They reach sexual maturity at 11 to 12 months of age.

Fun fact: The common palm civets are also one of the prey items of the Philippine Eagles
(Pithecophaga jefferyi) in the wild. The Philippine Eagles are formerly named the Philippine
monkey-eating eagles. It is mainly because, upon the discovery of the Philippine Eagles by the
English ornithologist John Whitehead in Samar, the eagle had hunted and eaten a monkey–
resulting in such a name. However, based on recent studies, 84% of the Philippine Eagles’ diet
consists of flying lemur and only 3% are monkeys in the wild.

Malay Civet (Scientific Name: Viverra tangalunga)

IUCN Status: Least Concern

The Malayan civet is a viverrid native to the Malay Peninsula and

the islands of Sumatra, Borneo, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
One of the most distinguishable civet species, they typically have a
greyish coat with numerous black spots and about 15 black bands
 in their tail. As nocturnal, they are active during the night foraging
on the forest floor or climbing trees. They also inhabit a wide
range of habitats including forests, cultivated lands, and even the
outskirts of villages.

Crocodile Enclosure
Before going straight out of the closed canopy area, from the civet enclosures
and crystal-clear water stream, you can turn on the left side of the path walk to
visit the PEC’s oldest resident, the estuarine crocodile.

Estuarine Crocodile (Scientific Name: Crocodylus porosus)

IUCN Status: Least Concern

Estuarine crocodiles are among the most aggressive and dangerous

crocodiles. Considerably the largest living reptile exceeding the
Komodo dragon in size, females reach up to 10 ft (3 m), and males
up to 10-19.5 ft (3-6 m). However, there are cases when crocodiles
reach up to 27 ft (10.6 m) though they are extremely rare.

Biology: Estuarine crocodiles have heads that are held horizontally in front of their body,
four legs that project sideways, heavy scales that function as strong armors, and heavy muscular
tails. Their front feet have five separate toes while their rear feet have four partially webbed toes.
Found at the top of their head, their eyes allow them to have sharp binocular vision.
Additionally, their crescent-shaped, valvular nostrils at their snouts’ end allow them to breathe
even when almost entirely submerged. Such species also have well-developed senses of smell,
sight, and hearing. Flaps typically cover their ear to prevent water from entering. Their eyes are
immobile spheres covered by three eyelids: the third eyelid, nictitating membrane, and clear
membrane that acts as a pair of goggles. They also have vertical, cat-like pupils that dilate,
allowing them to see well in the dark. A layer at the back of their eyes called the tapetum
increases their ability to see at night. Such a layer is also the reason why their eyes glow in the
dark when flashed with light; however, they cannot see well underwater.

Behavior: Rarely spend their time on land, they are mainly present in salty waters near rivers or
coasts, but can also be found in freshwater rivers. As territorial aquatic animals, weaker ones can
be kicked out of their territories, where they might swim over 1000 km to establish a new
territory. As their skin does not provide much insulation, most of them live in the tropics as they
cannot tolerate temperatures colder than temperate climates. No crocodiles venture out of the
lowlands–as it is speculated that none ever lived above 1000 meters (3260 feet) above sea level.
They can consume anything they can overpower. Juveniles feed on insects, crustaceans, small
reptiles, frogs, and small fishes. Mature ones eat turtles, snakes, birds, mud crabs, wild boars,
and even livestock (buffalo & cows). They are recorded to have the most acidic gastric juices
among all vertebrates that can digest even the bones and shells of prey animals. They possess a
muscular gizzard that contains stones, aiding such intense breaking down of food.

As carnivorous, estuarine crocodiles have strong jaw muscles for biting and holding their
prey. They typically impale their prey with their sharp teeth and swallow them whole without
chewing or grinding them. Based on studies, they usually eat only about 50 full meals a year.
However, as opportunistic hunters, they catch whatever they can if they are hungry.

In the Philippines, the crocodiles’ breeding season is from January to June. Females start
to breed at the age of 10 while males reach sexual maturity at the age of 16. A pair can produce
40-80 eggs a year. Their eggs’ sexual determination depends on the nest’s temperature. If the
nest is around 31.6 degrees Celsius, all eggs will become males while females are produced from
below or above that temperature.

Moreover, these estuarine crocodiles play a significant ecological role. They are the top
predators in the food chain of their habitats in which smaller species are dependent on them for
their existence. Their excrement or waste helps fertilize the riverbed where crustaceans such as
crabs and snails live. In return, these crustaceans serve as food for smaller fishes.

The PEC’s Estuarine Crocodile: Gold Dipper

As the oldest resident, our crocodile named Gold Dipper has been in the center for the
last 38 years. He is around 14 feet long. A male one, his left eye is blind. Allegedly, firecrackers
caused such blindness when this crocodile was with his captor.

Many people would ask why he barely moves, sometimes misunderstood by the visitors
that he is dead already. It is because estuarine crocodiles are nocturnal, they only roam and hunt
at night time. Most of the time, Gold Dipper would open his mouth. He often opens his mouth to
regulate his body temperature. Crocodiles do not have pores so instead of perspiring, they open
their mouths to cool themselves especially when they are in the water.

Snake Enclosure
Take a detour from Gold Dipper’s enclosure as it is a dead-end path walk. Turn
right and you can immediately see the reticulated pythons’ enclosure.

Reticulated Python (Scientific Name: Malayopython reticulatus)

IUCN Status: Least Concern
Native in South and Southeast Asia, reticulated pythons are non-
venomous snakes known to have complex geometric patterns
incorporated with different colors. Their back typically has a series
of irregular diamond shapes flanked by smaller markings with light
centers. Also, they inhabit tropical forests, woodlands, and nearby
grasslands. As they have a wide habitat range, reticulated pythons
are often associated with rivers, nearby streams, and lakes.
Unfortunately, these snake species are hunted for their skin, for
medical use, and as pets.

Chick-rearing and Incubation Laboratory

As you swerve right, straight from the reticulated pythons’ enclosure, you
can see a building from afar. It is the chick-rearing and incubation
laboratory, the facility where we hatch and raise our newly born Philippine
Eagles. The area is restricted from public view, and silence must be
observed when getting near this structure to prevent disturbing the eaglets.

Duplex Enclosure
A huge structure sitting atop the slopy area on your left side is the duplex
enclosure. Viggo is residing in the left enclosure, known as Pag-asa’s
home when he was still alive. Considered a famous bird, Viggo is the
model of the newest Php 1,000 polymer note, the country’s highest
currency.

Philippine Eagle (Scientific Name: Pithecophaga jefferyi)

IUCN Status: Critically Endangered

The Philippine Eagle, scientifically known as Pithecophaga jefferyi, is

believed by many ornithologists as the most magnificent and rarest among
all birds of prey. Endemic in the Philippines, they are present only in the
islands of Luzon, Samar, Leyte, and Mindanao.

The Philippine Eagle is considered the second largest and heaviest eagle in the world,
next to the Harpy Eagle and Stellar Sea Eagle, respectively. Among the distinct features and
characteristics of the Philippine eagle are:
● Weighs up to 8 kg (based on the most recent reports)
 ● Stands at a height of one meter with a two-meter wing span (the broadest in the world)
● Lays only one egg every two years
● Incubates egg for at least 58-60 days (the longest among eagles)
● Builds nests in towering trees like Lauan
● Possesses eyesight eight times more powerful than humans

Biology/ Life History:

After an eagle hatches and then dies, a pair will breed the following year instead of
following the two-year cycle. During the 40 days of the eaglet’s life, the male does most of the
hunting while the female stays with the young. After 40 days old, both parents hunt to provide
food for the growing eaglet. When the eaglet reaches 5 to 6 months old, the young depart the nest
tree and starts to hunt on its own until it becomes independent at the age of two years.

The Philippine Eagles in Mindanao have different prey items than the species’ population
located in Luzon. Philippine Eagles in Mindanao are generalist feeders, hunting 10 species of
mammals, 4 species of birds, and about 4 species of snakes and reptiles. Flying lemurs comprise
84 percent of their total diet. Considered forest mammals, flying lemurs are unique animals with
membranes extending from the forelimbs to hind limbs, which they use for gliding. Despite
being called monkey-eating eagles, monkeys comprise only 3 percent of the Philippine Eagles’
total diet.

Based on the PEF’s most recent study on the nesting density of Philippine Eagles in
Mindanao, a pair can occupy a territorial space of more than 130 square kilometers (4,000-
11,000 hectares). But as forest areas of Mindanao are mostly marginal now, they might have
smaller territories due to massive deforestation. An example of that was the reports that a
Philippine Eagle pair in Arakan, North Cotabato occupied at least 2,000 hectares. Moreover, the
current estimation of the Philippine Eagles left in the wild is from 258 to 362 pairs.

Threats
The threats to the Philippine Eagles are many and complicated. In the short term, hunting
remains prevalent amid the presence of laws protecting the bird. In the long term, Philippine
forests are being cut down at a rapid rate, threatening not only the eagles and other wildlife but
might disrupt the overall ecological balance.

In different cases, the Philippine Eagles are hunted for food, sport, and sometimes, out of
misplaced interest and ignorance just like when hunters shoot them because there happened to be
a huge bird in a tree. In 1999, five birds were confiscated and turned over to the PEF. All of them
suffered gunshot wounds. Consequently, two of them died from the gun wounds although two
subadults survived and one female was released back into the wild. No one knows how many
eagles are shot every year without being reported.

Recent field studies are also beginning to show that young eagles are more susceptible to
hunting than older birds. It may be because these young birds are more innocent of the harm that
guns and humans can inflict on them. When the younger birds are unable to survive and become
fertile adults, the eagle population is on the verge of collapsing.

Deforestation also plays a major role in these birds’ population crashes. Without forests,
the eagles and consequentially, all forest life, are unable to establish nests and homes and find
food to raise their young. Truly, with the continuing forests loss, the Philippine ecosystem is
suffering a major imbalance. The eagles are feeling this, as they are increasingly led to look for
food closer and closer to human habitats as forests can no longer provide enough food for their
needs. We are also feeling this imbalance: where flooding and landslide tragedies began to teach
us valuable lessons on the extent of the country’s deforestation.

The elimination of these two threats is the focus of the efforts of the Philippine Eagle
Foundation. We employ informational education campaigns to better inform the Filipino people
of the precarious state of the country’s eagles and the environment, influence behaviors and
values, and hopefully spur them to action. We monitor and protect forest habitats through our
community-based efforts. To help counter population loss due to hunting and deforestation, we
engage in conservation breeding—both through natural pairing and cooperative artificial
insemination to produce captive-bred eagles that can be released eventually in the wild to
increase eagle populations.

Eagles in captivity
The breakthrough in the captive breeding of Philippine Eagles came in 1992 when two
eaglets named Pag-asa (Hope) and Pagkakaisa (Unity) hatched, through cooperative artificial
insemination. From 1992 to the present, 29 eaglets have been produced using natural pairing
techniques and cooperative artificial insemination.

The names of three of our eaglets, Pangarap, Kapayapaan, and Bayani were the results of
the nationwide name-the-eaglet contests among schoolchildren from 7-16 years old. Other
eaglets, such as Ellen Therese, Maginoo, Kabayan, and Sambisig (formerly MIA) were named
by their sponsors. Currently, all eagles’ names were given by their adopters. Adopting an eagle
can cost you at least Php 200,000 annually–mainly for the animals’ upkeep, food, and
maintenance.

Perhaps you might be asking what are the criteria to become an adopter/sponsor. You can
adopt an eagle even as an individual, as a company, as a civic organization, or even as a group of
friends or a family pooling resources together to come up with the amount needed to adopt these
eagles. It is quite a noble thing to keep these special creatures alive, and we greatly encourage
you to help us do it.

Interesting Facts:
The Philippine Eagles have lots of peculiar yet interesting characteristics. One of these is
that their eyes are eight times more powerful than human eye-sights. They can see prey about a
mile and a half away. If by chance you could stand at eye level with a Philippine Eagle, it will
frequently turn its head upside down to look at you. It appears that they are doing this to
entertain you, but actually, they need to do that to have a better look at you. Their eyes have
evolved so that the lower parts of their eyes are the most sensitive. Turning their head upside
down, back and forth, or side to side helps them focus better on the object.

For imprinted eagles (those eagles having human surrogate mates), the keepers maintain
precautionary measures even after many years of association with the raptor.

One of the most impressive imprinting bonds is between Ben (the eagle’s surrogate mate)
and Junior (a Philippine Eagle, who is Pag-asa’s and Pagkakaisa’s father). Such a bond is so
strong that it overcame the eagle’s desire for freedom from its cage. It all happened once when
Ben removed Junior from his enclosure to clean it and put him on a stump. The bird’s leg, he
thought, was safely attached to the stump with a leash. When Ben finished his task and returned
to the stump, he however found that the leash was broken and Junior had flown into the branch
of a nearby tree. He then rushed to put on his leather glove and stood next to the stump. Junior
immediately flew down and landed on the stump. Without hesitation, he climbed to Ben’s leather
gauntlet and allowed himself to be put back into his cage.

Laws exist to protect the eagle, other wildlife, and the country’s forests. Since the
founding of the PEF, there are a few perpetrators who were prosecuted for shooting or hunting
the Philippine Eagle with the help of the Wildlife Act. However, it is still a major challenge to
fully prosecute all people who illegally hunt, capture or poach these animals.

Suggested Additional Information:

● Philippine Eagle Courtship and Reproduction
● Development Stages
● Sexing

Legislations on the Philippine Eagle

● Presidential Administrative Order No. 235 (August 25, 1970)
Prohibits the wounding, taking, selling, exchanging and/or exporting, possessing, and
killing of the eagles.
● Republic Act No. 6147 (November 9, 1970)
 Declared the species as a protected bird in the Philippines and mandated the DENR to
promulgate rules and regulations for its preservation.
● General Administrative Order No. 1, series of 1971 (May 10, 1971)
Defines provisions stated in Republic Act 6147, establishing several steps to protect the
eagle in its nesting sites, and deputized officials to enforce the law’s provisions. This law
also prohibits the cutting of any tree or plant within a kilometer radius of the Philippine
Eagles’ nesting sites.
● Presidential Proclamation No. 1732 (May 8, 1978)
It proclaims the renaming of the Monkey-Eating Eagles as the “Philippine Eagles.”
● Presidential Proclamation No. 615 (July 4, 1995)
It declares the Philippine Eagle as the National Bird. The law also ordered the DENR to
secure the viability of the Philippine Eagle population.
● Presidential Proclamation No. 79, series of 1999 (February 24, 1999)
It declares June 4-10 every year as the Philippine Eagle Week.
● Republic Act 9147- Wildlife Act (July 30, 2001)
An act providing for the conservation and protection of wildlife species found in all areas
of the country, the protected areas under the NIPAS Act, including exotic species that are
subject to trade, are cultured/maintained, and/or bred in captivity or propagated in the
country.
● Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES)
Prohibits the trade of the Philippine Eagle among nations.

The Future of the Philippine Eagle

Presently, the Philippine Eagle Foundation focuses on a research agenda that addresses
many biological questions about eagles. The use of advanced technology is the initial attempt of
the PEF to know these questions in-depth. With support from the Peregrine Fund and renewed
cooperation with the DENR, we embarked on an ambitious plan to harness wild eagles with
radio transmitters and systematically track them.

The ultimate goal of the PEF remains to be the restoration of the Philippine Eagle
populations in the wild. We have enjoyed extraordinary success in our captive-breeding program
(both natural pairing and cooperative artificial insemination), where we have released a few
eagles back in the wild. Soon, the foundation also foresees the possibility of utilizing cryogenic
techniques to impeccably enhance the captive breeding process.

With the goal of releasing captive-bred eagles, the PEF is now looking at developing
locally appropriate “hacking” methods. Hacking is a technique that gradually introduces a young
captive-bred bird to a suitable forest habitat. Before releasing an eagle, the PEF’s researchers and
biologists typically assess the floral assemblages of the area, determining if there are suitable
nesting sites. Aside from that, they have a prey item checklist of the Philippine Eagles, ensuring
that these birds have the food items they can eat in that area. The most important part, before and
after release, the PEF conduct information education campaigns to the nearby communities,
adjacent to the bird’s territory, to spread awareness and seek support for releasing these birds.

The Challenge
Despite the massive information education campaigns throughout the country, even in the
release sites of the Philippine Eagles, hunting is still prevalent. It is still an uphill battle to stop
the hunting and shooting of these magnificent raptors.

As the name Great Philippine Eagle symbolizes the greatness of the Filipino nation, along
with such pride it brings should come the courage to take responsibility for saving this most
magnificent raptor from extinction. We need all help we can get to conserve these birds—as it
takes not only a community but the entire country to conserve this flagship species.

In this modern age, there are countless ways to help us. Should you wish to support our
efforts and our work, you can reach us through different social media, emails, and our official
website. To save the Philippine Eagle, we must take an active part if we, Filipinos, indeed
deserve to claim it as our “National Bird.”

Raptor Road
Aside from the Philippine Eagles, the PEC is home to many other
raptors, from nocturnal to diurnal ones. From the duplex
enclosure, after a short walk, you can see an open field on the right
side—this is the flight zone where the flight demonstrations of
different raptors are conducted. With a few more steps, you might already see the
PEC’s longest chain of raptor enclosures.

Philippine Serpent Eagle (Scientific Name: Spilornus holospilus)

IUCN Status: Least Concern

Considerably one of the most visible of all

Philippine raptors, they are usually present in
forest clearings, open woodlands, and sometimes
in cultivated lands with scattered trees. Although
serpent eagles are endemic in the Philippines, they are absent in Palawan.
They soar high above the forest and forest edge giving a distinctive
plaintive whistling call. They hunt in the forest canopy for snakes and
lizards. Often seen perching at the forest edge, these birds have small spots
on their belly and their skin, and their legs are yellow.
Eastern Grass Owl (Scientific Name: Tyto longemembris)
Local Name: Kwagong Talahib (Pil); Ngiw-ngiw (Vis)
IUCN Status: Least Concern

Biology/Behavior: Active at night, they can be seen often flying low over
fields and grasslands/They are also present in towns, cities, and even in
abandoned grassy lots. They spend the day roosting in dense grasses and
when disturbed, they fly over short distances and return to cover. They
breed from November to December, with the usual clutch size of three
white eggs. Additionally, they build their nests on the ground with dense
cogon and other grasses.

Brahminy Kite (Scientific Name: Haliastur indus)

IUCN Status: Least Concern

One of the medium-sized raptors, the Brahminy

kite has a white head and breast while the rest of its
body is a striking chestnut brown. Considerably a
bird of the coast, they particularly inhabit mangrove
swamps and estuaries. They are sometimes present in forests or along
rivers. They build nests on large sticks, lined with barks, twigs, and even
carabao dung placed in prominent forks of high trees situated on a forested
slope where there is a wider field of view. They feed on a variety of
animals and will take carrion, particularly from water surfaces. Females
lay 2 to 3 eggs.

Black-Winged Kite (Scientific Name: Elanus caeruleus)

IUCN Status: Least Concern
A long-winged raptor, they are usually white or grey with black
shoulder patches, wing tips, and eye strip. With a wide range of
habitats, they can be found in Europe, Africa, and Asia. They are
known to breed throughout the year. Compared to most birds of
prey, they can raise multiple broods in a year. Females typically
move into new territories before the young fledge, leaving only the
males to feed and raise the young.

Pinsker’s Hawk Eagle (Scientific Name: Nisaetus pinskeri)

IUCN Status: Endemic
 Biology/Behavior: This species resides in advanced second-growth
forests from the lowlands to over 1900 meters of montane-mossy forests.
They are often perching and concealed in the canopy and soar often. They
are the intermediary between being a hawk and an eagle, yet they are
categorized as complete eagles.

They can only be found in Mindanao, and their counterparts residing the northern Luzon
are the Philippine Hawk Eagles. The Pinsker’s Hawk Eagles are quite unique; they have a three-
feather crest that looks like a crown at the top of their heads.

White-bellied Sea Eagle (Scientific Name: Haliaeetus luecogaster)

IUCN Status: Least Concern

Biology/Behaviors: These birds are widely

distributed throughout the Philippines’ bigger
islands, but are no longer common. Sea Eagles prey
on fish, frogs, snakes, lizards, birds, and fruit bats. They are mostly
present along the coasts, actively fishing in big rivers and lakes, or
perching on the stakes of some deep-water corrals.

On average, they measure 750 mm in length. Their breeding season occurs from
December to January with young birds in the nest noted in April, May, and June. The female lays
two eggs per clutch. Immature sea eagles have dark brown feathers on the belly or breast. When
mature, these feathers molt and are replaced with full white feathers.

Interesting facts: In flight, the White-Bellied Sea Eagle soars with wings slightly forward and in
a dihedral or ‘V” conformation. They create their nests made of sticks in high dead or live trees,
telephone poles nearby water bodies, and even on isolated rock ledges in cliffs near water.

As territorial birds, sea eagles fight to defend their territory from other sea eagles. A
deadly air fight with each other to protect territories seems impressive as it appears as
synchronized flying. Their talons usually meet and lock, and they spin in the air until they fall.
Whichever bird survives the combat owns the territory.

Fun fact: White-bellied Sea eagles love the rain, flapping their wings constantly when it is
raining.

Deer Enclosure
After the raptor enclosures, you can go next to your right side—where the deer enclosure is
situated. To date, there are over five Philippine brown deer inside, considered natural inhabitants
within Mt. Apo and here in the Philippines.

Philippine Brown Deer (Scientific Name: Rusa marianna)

IUCN Status: Vulnerable

Facts: They are originally restricted to the Philippines but introduced into
the Marianna Islands. They are widely distributed throughout the
Philippines, from sea level to at least 2,900 meters in primary and
secondary forests. They are locally common in isolated areas but are
heavily hunted and declining. Local extinction has been reported on
Catanduanes and Biliran.

Pairing Dome
Made up of huge steel bars forming a sphere, you can find this huge pairing dome
next to the deer’s enclosure. It is not the typical enclosure you can find within the
center as it is wide enough to allow eagle pair to breed naturally. Eagle pairs
translocated mostly here are Dagitab (male) and Diamante (female) or Hiyas
(female) and Magiting (male).

The PEF is still tapping the potential of natural pairing inside the center. In the case of a
natural pair like Hiyas and Magiting, however, they still have not produced any eaglet. Such a
natural pairing method is under study and requires more time and expertise to produce results.

Talon Alley
From the pairing dome, there are three smaller enclosures dedicated to
Philippine Eagles (Zeus, Maginoo, and Mindanao). As you pass these
three enclosures, you are now traversing the talon alley, where there are
more Philippine Eagles’ enclosures. Located also in this alley is the wall
of the official adopters of all 32 Philippine Eagles. With larger enclosures,
you can surely have a better view of the live feeding on Fridays.

Macaque Island
Considered the natural inhabitants of Mt. Apo, this human-made island is
reserved for the Philippine long-tailed macaques. There are over 20
macaques inside, surrounded by freshwater sources inhabited by Tilapia
(Oreochromis niloticus). At the back portion of this macaque island, a
 male Philippine warty pig is isolated due to the threat of the ASF (African
Swine Flu).

Philippine Long-tailed Macaque (Scientific Name: Macaca

fascicularis philippensis)
Local Name: Amo, Unggoy
IUCN Status: Nearly-threatened

Biology: Long-tailed macaques have a wide variety of diets. Found

in a multitude range of habitats, they mainly eat fruits, which is
why they forage more than 90 percent of their time looking for
fruits. Aside from fruits, they eat flowers, leaves, fungi, insects,
crabs, and other aquatic life. Some studies suggest that they are the
most arboreal among all macaque species, only coming to the
ground where water was within 5 meters of the trees they were in.
They typically sleep in trees and forage on the ground during the
day.

Macaques give birth to single young and having twins is rare. The gestation period may
last from 160 to 170 days (5-6 months). Females sexually mature in 4 years while males in 6
years. They are widely distributed all over Southeast Asia from Myanmar, through Indochina to
the Philippines, down to the Malayan peninsula to Indonesia. Mangroves appear to have the
highest density of these macaques, but they can also be found in lowland rainforests to montane
forests. They are also present near human settlements, scrubland, disturbed secondary forests,
and plantations.

Behavior: These monkeys can form groups with 6-100 members with about 2-3 females per
male. Males typically leave their birth group and try to find another troop where they try to
replace the high-ranking males. Females remain in their birth group, but they follow a hierarchy
among them that passes on to their offspring. Higher-ranking females’ offspring have a better
chance of survival, through better access to food and less aggression being directed at them.

Facts: Long-tailed macaques are the most numerous with 2-3 million of them in the wild.
Despite that, they are threatened by habitat loss and persecuted by humans. They are mostly
hunted for food or considered pests on cultivated crops. Typically trapped for medical research
they are among the top 5 most-used primates for medical research. The species was the clinical
test animal for the development of the polio vaccine.

The Life of Macaques at the PEC

Here at the Philippine Eagle Center, we do not allow visitors to feed the monkeys, unlike
other zoos. This may not only cause indigestion because of the possibility of ingesting rubbish,
but also it gives them the idea to grab food or packages they can get hold of, including materials
from the visitors that are not fit for their consumption.

One interesting story that could perhaps pique your interest is the story of Jumbo (point
Jumbo). When the Philippine Eagle Center transferred here in 1988, this monkey used to be an
inhabitant of the Malagos watersheds. He is so fierce that when he sees someone coming, he
would immediately come down from the tree and chase whoever may come his way. Visitors,
afraid to be bitten, would run back from where they started whenever he comes. He must have
chased almost every visitor here before and bitten 36 visitors before he was caught. Our staff has
set different traps, all of which did not work to catch Jumbo. One day, as one of our staff, was
about to make his rounds at the center, he was attacked by Jumbo, and he was forced to fight a
duel with Jumbo. After minutes of struggle to win the monkey over, Jumbo was finally caught,
though the staff obtained several bites and scratches.

Philippine Warty Pig (Scientific Name: Sus philippensis)

IUCN Status: Vulnerable

Facts: The Philippine warty pig can be found in Biliran,

Catanduanes, Leyte, Luzon, and Mindanao. Formerly abundant
from sea level to at least 2,800 meters, in virtually all habitats; now
common only in remote forests. They are also heavily hunted; thus,
their population is declining rapidly. It is now threatened by
hybridization and is locally extinct in Marinduque.

Owl Enclosure
A few steps away from the macaque island, turning to the path walk’s
right side would lead you to the owl enclosures. This is where the scops
owls, the second smallest owls in the Philippines, are situated. These are
nocturnal, yet they are awake during the daytime. Feeding them during
broad daylight could somehow change their circadian rhythm, explaining
why they are active even during daylight.

Giant Scops Owl (Scientific Name: Otus gurneyi)

IUCN Status: Vulnerable

Biology/Behavior: This species can be found in

the understory of the forests and at forests edges,
singly and in pairs, usually below 1,000 meters.
They may breed throughout the year as young birds have been collected in
 February and May, and birds with enlarged gonads are recorded from
March, April, and October.

Everett’s Scops Owl (Scientific Name: Otus everetti)

IUCN Status: Least Concerned

Biology/Behavior: This species inhabits forests and forest edges,

singly or in pairs, usually below 1,000 meters, but they are also
present in pine forests in Luzon up to 2,000 meters. They possibly
breed throughout the year as young birds have been collected in
February and May, while birds with enlarged gonads were
recorded from March, April, and October.

Raptor Garden
The next site is called the “Raptor Garden.” In this area, you can
see different raptor species that can be found in the Philippines.
Displayed from the smallest to largest, most of these birds were
brought to the center either wounded or weak from illegal
captivity, poaching, and even illegal trading of wildlife. They have been
rehabilitated and serve as educational ambassadors, in which the PEC can impart
to many people the importance of their existence in their respective habitats. The
rest of the birds were bred and hatched in captivity including the Pinsker’s Hawk
Eagle.

Aside from the Pinsker’s Hawk Eagle, there are other raptors exhibited in this area such
as the White-bellied Sea Eagle, Pinsker’s Hawk Eagle, Philippine Serpent Eagle, and other birds
in the area. Occasionally, there are other endemic parrots, doves, and many wildlife roaming
around freely.

Chinese Sparrowhawk (Scientific Name: Accipiter soloensis)

IUCN Status: Least Concern
With females larger than males, their length ranges from 30 to 36
cm. When they reach adulthood, they have prominent black wing
tips. Males have red eyes, with their body grey above and white
below. Meanwhile, females have yellow eyes, rufous on breasts,
and underwing coverts. During the breeding season, they mainly
feed on frogs but can also take lizards and other smaller
invertebrates. They can be found in Southeast China, Indonesia,
the Philippines, and the rest of Southeast Asia.
Audio-Visual Room
After enjoying the tranquil scenery and wildlife in the raptor garden, the
whole tour ends in the AVR. There are different things you can do in the
AVR. You can watch numerous short films about the Philippine Eagles’
releases, nesting to eaglets becoming independent back in the wild. Aside
from the usual lectures, orientations, and workshops frequently done in the
room, you can find the taxidermy of Pag-asa, Tsai, and Diola.

After exiting the AVR, you can take a look at the breathtaking blooming flowers of the
water lilies and fishes in the fish pond. There are carp, koi, and tilapia in the pond. It is the spot
where you can bid your goodbyes, and thank the guests for visiting the PEC. It is also the
opportunity to look for future sponsorships, donorships, and partnerships.

The Philippine Eagle Foundation and Its Programs

The Philippine Eagle Foundation is a private, non-profit, and action-oriented organization
dedicated to saving the Philippine Eagle. It was organized in 1987 and has since then generated a
long list of accomplishments. Many of these are considered milestones in the country’s wildlife
conservation history including the successful captive breeding of the eagles Pag-asa and
Pagkakaisa.

By using the Philippine Eagle Pithecophaga jefferyi as the flagship species for
conservation, we try to address a host of issues with the conservation and management of
wildlife in the Philippines’ rainforest. Additionally, the eagle provides a powerful symbol for
rallying support from the Filipino people. Our programs include field research, community-based
initiatives, captive breeding, and conservation education. These programs are integrated and
permit a holistic approach to the conservation and management of biological diversity.

Research and Conservation Program

The program primarily focuses on building and analyzing information on which to base
conservation actions. The work involves establishing permanent survey plots, biological
inventories, monitoring of wild eagle populations, location of nest sites and sightings, mapping,
telemetry, and eagle releases.

Nest surveys and monitoring

Our goal is to find all Philippine Eagle nesting sites and protect them. Philippine eagle
nesting sites are ancient breeding areas – eagle pairs across generations occupy the same
nest site over and over again. Conserving these important areas of reproduction and
securing the nesting pair and their young is critical to saving the species from being lost
forever.
Our team of biologists and field technicians trek on mountains to locate nests, monitor
breeding eagles, and track them to establish home ranges, movement patterns, and
juvenile dispersals. We use the data collected to know more about the eagles in the wild
and determine what necessary actions and interventions to take in order to protect them.

Eagle monitoring
We build and man observation posts that are as high as 31 meters above the ground
where we spend hours and hours looking through high-powered binoculars to document
the resident eagles' diet, behavior, and movement patterns.

Forest guard program

Local and indigenous communities are our best possible partners in protecting the ancient
breeding sites of generations of eagle pairs. It is also from these communities that we
recruit and selects our forest guards who protect the eagles and their habitat in remote
areas.

To enhance effective guardianship, we train our partner forest guards in patrolling and
monitoring. We also equip and provide them with incentives.

Alongside the communities is our partner local government units who help provide
additional resources and incentives to our forest guards. LGUs also reinforce forest
guards through the enactment of policies and ordinances.

Culture-based Conservation
We build and nurture a productive relationship with communities that share the forests
with the Philippine Eagle.

We provide them with opportunities to fulfill economic, social, and cultural needs, as
they participate in the conservation work. Beyond material benefits, their participation in
eagle conservation is also an opportunity for them to accomplish their obligations to their
people and the forest achieving a holistic sense of well-being.

Protecting Forests and Saving Eagles through Reforestation

The PEF’s Forest restoration program helped 281 farmers through rainforestation
techniques where they planted crops alongside native forest trees. The PEF reforested
approximately 209 hectares of denuded land. Meanwhile, the PEF has engaged
approximately 505 forest guards to protect 16 eagle nesting sites in Luzon and Mindanao.

Moreover, the PEF, in partnership with Ayala Land Inc., rehabilitated the 12-hectare
swamp area within Davao City by planting over 30 native tree species–creating a carbon
forest that can absorb air pollution indefinitely.
Conservation Breeding Program
The program complements our efforts in the field, which focuses on propagating the
eagles in captivity. The staff is based here at the center, where they work on eagles using natural
pairing and cooperative artificial insemination techniques.

The PEF has successfully produced 29 eagles in the Philippine Eagle Center since 1992 –
still a long way off towards augmenting their dwindling population in the wild. We are polishing
our breeding protocols intending to produce suitably reared Philippine eagles that behave like
wild eagles when they are released in the forest. Captive-bred eagles must also be healthy and fit
to thrive in the wild.

We apply cooperative artificial insemination and natural pairing techniques in breeding

Philippine eagles at the PEC. For this year, the PEF maintained the PEC population with 32
Philippine Eagles (4 natural pairs & 24 imprints). The program’s goal is to propagate and
reintroduce the eagles back to the wild. It is meant to support but not as a substitute for wild
populations.

Conservation Education Program

All efforts to propagate and protect the eagles are futile without public involvement. We
target both urban and rural communities in developing public awareness and understanding of
wildlife conservation issues through various activities and platforms.

Upland Education
We complement our site-based research and conservation with education and awareness
outreach. We knock on the doors of local and indigenous communities and tell them
about their eagle neighbor. From there we begin to cultivate care and concern for the
eagles and partner with the communities.

PEC as a wildlife conservation education hub

Equally important to our direct conservation actions are our efforts in education and
public awareness. As a stronghold of conservation education, the PEC is where we
continue to develop experiential learning through “nature contact”. Moreover, it is where
people from different walks of life and of all ages can learn and participate in the PEF’s
efforts to protect our national bird and our forests. Apart from the PEC, we also partner
with schools and malls as venues for conservation learning.

At the PEC, one of our goals is to change human behavior and let people understand the
significance of the captive breeding facility in saving Philippine Eagles from extinction.
We aim to instill conservation values, especially among the youth.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?

HOW TO HELP RAISE AWARENESS AND FUNDS FOR THE CONSERVATION WORK

Volunteer
Volunteer your time and talent and help the PEF carry out its mission. You can volunteer
on-site and be an education officer - an ambassador for wildlife. Schedule your volunteer days
with the team. Want to help but physically impossible? You can volunteer remotely!

Support our conservation education initiatives that inspire a behavior change and instill
conservation values towards wildlife and the habitat it represents.

Fundraisers at the Philippine Eagle Center include the following:

Wild Trail
For a minimum donation of 1,000 PHP only, one cement block among the steps within
the park’s trail will bear the name of the donor – company or individual. Up to 40
characters can be included in the block.

Learn with Malaya – an open classroom program (Educational Tour)

You can make a kid’s day! For PHP 300 only, it entitles one to an entrance fee at the
park. For virtual tours, groups can coordinate with the education team for bookings.

Groups/Clubs/Companies and individuals can also volunteer to raise funds to sponsor a

class of local students in the Philippines to enjoy an educational tour at the facility. For
only PHP 20,000 - a class of 40 students and 5 teachers are enrolled in a wildlife learning
excursion at the Philippine Eagle Center which includes an educational tour, storytelling,
a raptor flight show and demonstration, prizes, souvenirs, manuals, and games.

When an individual or a group sponsors a class, sponsors can get an activity report and
certificate on the sessions conducted which will be acknowledged in the PEF’s annual
report.

Adopt an Eagle
To adopt an eagle, it can cost you at least Php 200,000 annually–that is spent on the
animals’ upkeep, food, and maintenance. For non-Philippine Eagles or smaller raptors, adoption
costs Php 25,000 annually which is reserved for the animals’ yearly expenses. As an adopter, you
have the privilege to name your animals, with certification and monthly reports given to you.

Visit Our Gift Shop

Purchasing items at the PEC’s gift shop supports our Indigenous partners in our
conservation efforts. Many of the gifts at the center’s shop are products of our partner
communities, which are conservation incentives for their role in protecting the forest and the
eagles.

Remote volunteer activities can be authorized for as long as coordination and permissions
are in place to raise funds to sponsor a class of local kids’ educational tours at the PEC.

Examples:
✔ Bake sale, pre-loved items’ sale, garage sale. Etc.

✔ Registration fees or tickets: Concerts for a cause, gigs, fairs, movie screenings, etc.

✔ Merchandise selling – eagle souvenirs such as T-shirts, stickers, mugs, etc.

✔ PEC Virtual Tour – tickets sold at PHP 300 per participant (minimum of 500 in one
batch)
✔ Fun run, sports fest, etc.

✔ Artfest, auctions, etc.

✔ Volunteers can also utilize their strengths, skill sets, time, and talent, to help carry out
the mission. They can customize and also propose their activities to raise funds.

There are numerous ways that you can help. Aside from monetary contributions and volunteering
works, we also appreciate material contributions (i.e., logistical equipment or materials for our
infrastructure needs like paint, cement, etc.) and service contributions (i.e., the printing of
information materials, and communication support).

End of the Tour

After you have completed the tour, please give a conclusion and thank them for visiting.
The following is a sample conclusion:

I hope you enjoyed your visit today. The opportunity to see the inner workings of an
endangered species program is unique. You can be part of this work by becoming a member of
the Philippine Eagle Foundation.

If you live in the area, you may want to consider becoming a volunteer for the PEF. You
can also provide monetary, logistic, and service supports to the PEF. Please remember that you
have only seen a part of the work that we do. The Philippine Eagles and other birds of prey play
integral ecological roles and are part of our heritage.

I trust that your visit today gave you a deeper understanding of the birds and the problems
they face. Please share what you have learned today with your family and friends. Thank you for
your time and interest in visiting the PEC! By visiting the PEC, you already have helped us.
 If I may quote:

“Conservation is expensive work, and we need all the help we can get.”

Conserving the Philippine Eagles, our critically endangered keystone and flagship
species, can result in an ecological imbalance in our vast forests. Once they are lost, they’re gone
forever. It takes a country to conserve our flagship species. Let us all act together now!

More Tour Guiding Tips:

● When working with our visitors, communicate your enthusiasm. If you show interest,
your enthusiasm will increase, and thus a continuous discourse is possible throughout the
tour. Act alive and animated. As you walk along the trails with a group, point out
beautiful surroundings, flowers, and picturesque landscapes just to set them in a positive
mood.
● Know your audience. Talk with them before the tour begins. Notice their age, dress, and
what kind of approach will be successful to catch their attention, because every audience
is different.
● When you are making the rounds at the center, remember not to give too many facts.
Watch your group’s curiosity and reaction as you tell human-interest stories, the raptors
you are watching, and the habits of the species.
● Do not recite memorized facts. Keep it spontaneous. Watch for animal behavior and
explain/interpret it on the spot. Be sure you leave people wanting to know more, rather
than wishing you would move on and quit talking.
● Remember that your objective is to create interest in the eagles and the PEF. If you are
succeeding, you will get some kind of response, questions, comments, laughter, or
membership donations.
● Be sure to catch yourself if ever you start saying the same things over and over because
freshness and enthusiasm are vital. You must be knowledgeable of course, but use your
knowledge as a tool to create interest, not as an end in itself.
● Study the information provided to you. In the event someone asks you a question you
cannot answer, say you do not know and ask a staff member later.
● Always return with your group to the gift shop and assist the receptionist.
● Finally, have fun. If you are not enjoying yourself, how can you expect your audience to
enjoy their visit? Have a good time, keep learning, and enjoy the wonderful variety of
people you will meet.
● As a tour guide championing nature and wildlife conservation, it is your duty to change
the visitors’ perception about the Philippine Eagles, other wildlife, and the environment
—a behavioral change where they can become active supporters of the PEF’s mission.