Year 2 marks a turning point for the Leyte Reintroduction Program

October 2024 – October 2025

Leyte’s forests are beginning to hear a sound they have not known for generations—the slow return of the Philippine Eagle. As one of the world’s rarest raptors, the species has suffered from decades of habitat loss and persecution. With support from the Mohamed bin Zayed Raptor Conservation Fund, the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) is now leading the first experimental conservation translocation of the species to Leyte Island.

Year 2 of this work shows real progress. Below is a full update from the field, with visuals indicated where they would sit most naturally on your website.

 

Three rehabilitated eagles take to Leyte’s skies

[Place photos of Sinabadan, Kalatungan I, and Lakpue in the wild here]

The highlight of this year’s work was the release of three rehabilitated eagles—Sinabadan, Kalatungan I, and Lakpue—into the Anonang–Lobi Range Key Biodiversity Area. Before their release, all three went through aversion training, acclimatization, and soft-release protocols that help build site familiarity and reduce dependence on human support.

Sinabadan and Lakpue adapted well and remain active across the Burauen–Javier–Baybay forest corridor. Carlito, the first eagle released in 2024, is still established and now overlaps with the newer releases, an encouraging sign as the landscape begins to support multiple resident eagles.

These early interactions are important steps toward future pair formation and, eventually, breeding in the wild.

 

A hard loss underscores ongoing threats

[Place photo of transmitter recovery and investigation site here]

In August 2025, Kalatungan I was confirmed dead. Only scattered feathers were found, and although shooting is suspected, the case is still under investigation by DENR, NBI, the Philippine National Police, and local officials.

The incident was a sobering reminder of the risks raptors face across their range. It also strengthened the project’s partnership with law-enforcement agencies and accelerated the rollout of Firearms Awareness activities in upland barangays.

 

Telemetry insights from Leyte’s forests

[Place map showing movement ranges or telemetry images here]

Satellite telemetry from Carlito, Sinabadan, and Lakpue provided a clearer picture of how newly released eagles move through Leyte. The data show:

  • consistent use of interior forests and riparian corridors
    • gradual expansion of home ranges as birds gain confidence
    • overlapping movement areas that indicate early tolerance among individuals

These insights are helping guide both habitat protection and future release strategies.

 

A community at the heart of the project

[Place CEPA campaign photos here—schools, barangays, mascot visits]

More than 3,000 residents across 24 barangays and four schools took part in Community Education and Public Awareness (CEPA) programs this year. Children learned about the eagle’s ecology, while adults were trained on identification, reporting protocols, and wildlife law.

Interactive activities such as Carlito Goes Hunting helped reinforce stewardship, and upland communities showed strong interest in supporting the project as local guardians of the species.

 

Strengthening forest protection and local capacity

[Place photos from Wildlife Enforcement Officer training here]

Forest protection efforts expanded this year through Wildlife Enforcement Officer training in Javier, Leyte. Forest guards and local government partners were trained in eagle identification, SMART patrolling, telemetry tracking, and environmental law.

DENR later awarded PEF with the Pag-ataman Han Kalibungan recognition for strengthened community partnership and site protection.

At the same time, telemetry data played a central role in advancing the proposed Anonang–Lobi Range Critical Habitat. Mapping and ground verification were completed, and supporting documents for legal designation are now being finalized.

 

Lessons learned and adaptations for Year 3

[Optional placement: photo of hack cages or veterinary checks]

The project continues to adapt and refine its methods. Key lessons from this year include:

  • the need for stronger law-enforcement coordination after the loss of Kalatungan I
    • continued improvement of telemetry protocols in dense forest and wet-season conditions
    • refining soft-release methods to improve site fidelity
    • sustaining CEPA momentum through follow-up visits and stronger community partnerships

Lakpue’s successful transition from long-term captivity to wild life offers confidence that more rehabilitated eagles can adapt with the right preparation.

 

Looking ahead

The next phase will focus on:

  • finalizing the Critical Habitat designation
    • establishing a dedicated research and monitoring station on Leyte
    • expanding CEPA and law-enforcement work into additional municipalities
    • preparing for the next round of eagle releases in 2026

Leyte is slowly becoming a landscape where Philippine Eagles can survive and eventually thrive. With strong science, community support, and shared commitment from partners, the island is once again holding space for this remarkable bird.