CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — A female Philippine Eagle is fighting for survival after being rescued with suspected pellet wounds that had become severely infested with maggots in Barangay Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) said Friday.

In a statement, PEF communications officer Irick Francisco said the wounded raptor was rescued on 3 July after it was found near the Sawaga River in Barangay Dalwangan. The eagle, named Sawaga-Dalwangan, was turned over to the Philippine Eagle Foundation at the Provincial Zoo in Malaybalay City later that evening.

Barangay Dalwangan is located within the Mount Kitanglad Range Natural Park, one of the Philippine Eagle’s key strongholds. The area hosts the country’s second-oldest known breeding territory for the critically endangered species, with nesting activity continuously documented since 1986, making it one of the world’s longest-monitored Philippine Eagle nesting sites.

PEF veterinarian Danielle Pasion, senior animal keeper Dominic Tadena, and senior biologist Rowell Taraya examined the eagle and found her weak, dehydrated, and unable to fly.

They also noted soil-stained chest and belly feathers, along with broken and badly worn plumage — signs that the bird had been stranded on the ground for an extended period.

“The infestation was more extensive than anyone had expected. Larvae were found not only in the wing wounds but also around the base of her tail feathers, around the vent, and inside the lining of the cloaca,” the PEF said, adding that more maggots emerged as responders cleaned the wounds.

X-ray examinations revealed two suspected airgun pellets embedded in the eagle’s infected wing.

Veterinarians said the combination of dehydration, soiled feathers, damaged plumage, and the advanced maggot infestation suggests the injuries were not recent and that the eagle had likely been unable to move for several days before being rescued.

The veterinary team immediately began treatment by disinfecting the wounds, removing as many maggots as possible, administering pain medication, and providing subcutaneous fluids to address dehydration. Warm air was used to dry the eagle’s feathers and stabilize her body temperature before she was transported to Davao City.

At Doc Bayani’s Animal Wellness Hospital, the eagle underwent radiographs, blood tests, parasite screening, and other diagnostic procedures to determine the full extent of her injuries.

The PEF said veterinarians continue nightly examinations, manually removing maggots hidden in damaged tissue or emerging as the wounds heal.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources is pursuing a formal investigation, in coordination with the Philippine National Police and, if warranted, the National Bureau of Investigation, to determine whether wildlife protection laws were violated.

According to the PEF, fewer than 400 breeding pairs of Philippine Eagles remain in the wild, underscoring the importance of every surviving bird to the species’ future.

The eagle’s recovery remains uncertain, while the cause of her injuries is still under investigation.