MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon —The rescue of a critically endangered Philippine Eagle took an unusual turn Monday after a 21-year-old indigenous farmer publicly claimed he saved the national bird from an attack by a pack of roughly 30 monkeys.

Marvin Linoy said he found the eagle on 3 July in a forested area along the Sawaga River in Barangay Dalwangan, according to a Facebook post by Mery Omarol Suday, manager of the Inhandig Tribal Multi-Purpose Cooperative.

Linoy was gathering passion fruit when he heard unusual noises and discovered the monkeys aggressively attacking the bird, which was pinned to the ground, trembling and covered in dirt.

He added that he dispersed the monkeys by mimicking a barking dog, covered the stressed raptor’s eyes with fern leaves, wrapped it in his jacket, and sought help from the cooperative.

Cooperative officials coordinated with environmental authorities to transfer the bird to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Suday defended Linoy against online critics who questioned his handling of the protected species, warning that public backlash could deter future wildlife rescues.

Philippine Eagle Foundation veterinarian Danielle Pasion, senior animal keeper Dominic Tadena, and senior biologist Rowell Taraya examined the eagle — now named Dalwangan — and found her weak, dehydrated and unable to fly.

Vets reported that the bird’s chest and belly feathers were stained with soil and her plumage was heavily worn, suggesting she had been grounded for days.

Medical teams also discovered a severe maggot infestation during wound cleaning, with larvae found in wing injuries, around the tail feathers and inside the cloaca.

X-rays revealed two airgun pellets lodged inside the eagle’s body, indicating she had been shot before falling to the ground. Her legs also bore marks consistent with being restrained by a rope.

The foundation’s veterinary team began immediate treatment, including wound disinfection, maggot removal, pain management and subcutaneous fluids to combat dehydration.