The first scientist to breed the American bald Eagle has spoken up about the issuance of cutting permits in nesting areas of the Philippine Eagle.
James Grier, professor emeritus of the Department of Biological Sciences, North Dakota State University Fargo, USA, shared his thoughts on the issue through an open letter addressed to Bagani Fidel A. Evasco, regional director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR 11).
Grier said he recently learned of the issuing of a permit to harvest old-growth trees for commercial purposes near a long-established, productive, and well-studied (including him in the early stages) Philippine Eagle nesting territory in Mounts Makabol-Alikoson Conservation Area (MMACA) in Brgy. Salaysay.
“That area should be left in its natural state to the fullest extent possible, including leaving old and even fallen trees naturally in place,” the letter said.
Grier, who had first-hand experience with the Philippine Eagle and was among the first to travel to and help study the nesting eagles at Brgy. Salaysay following reports by residents as well as helped develop the captive breeding techniques for the species and was the “midwife” present for the hatching of Pag-asa in 1992; informed Evasco that he had seen (and signed) the petition to cancel the tree-cutting permit at Salaysay, along with other documents with the specific and detailed reasons for canceling the permit.
“I will not repeat those details and reasoning here since others have already stated them. Suffice it to say, I and my wife agree 100 percent with the reasons and are fully in support of canceling the cutting permit,” it said.
He is referring to the petition spearheaded by the Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS), ECOTENEO, Save Macabol Initiative, and Students’ Environmental Alliance of Davao, and PEF that conducted an online signature campaign against the cutting of the 121 native trees in Mounts Macabol and Alikoson Conservation Area (MMACA).
Grier stated in his letter that he would recommend the area be considered a candidate for a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site, which according to him would be beneficial not only for the eagles, habitat, other species, and watershed, but also for the people and communities in the area economically.
“It could further highlight Davao on the world map in a very favorable manner,” it said.
He mentioned in his letter that the Philippine Eagle is not only a treasured species locally and for your country but also for the whole world. He has long considered the Philippine eagle to be the “Hope Diamond” among birds in general and eagles in particular.
“It is the reason the first Philippine eagle to be bred in captivity was named “Pag asa”. You have one of the best national birds in the world! Unfortunately, it also is the rarest and most endangered eagle in the world. It is a living treasure of the world that needs all the care and proper attention possible,” he said.
He also mentioned that the Philippine Eagle has attracted much interest internationally for decades, including from the famous aviator Charles Lindbergh up to the recent full-length feature documentary “Bird of Prey”, which after being shown to thousands in the Philippines and across the world, is now available for anyone at no cost on youtube.
“I am writing as a person with a life-long, scientific interest in eagles, a member of the global, international community from the US, and an adviser to the Philippine Eagle Foundation, the foundation’s precursors, and the DENR (and its precursors) nationally and locally since 1977. I have visited the Philippines many times through the years to work with PEF, DENR, and several of the country’s universities, particularly UPLB,” it said.
Grier’s studies of eagles began with the American bald eagle in Canada in 1959 as a teenager, continued throughout undergraduate and graduate university years, and through his career as a university professor, teacher, and scientist up to the present.
His wife, Joyce, joined efforts in the Philippines starting with several months in Mindanao and Luzon in 1991 and numerous trips thereafter. She also has experience and skills working with eagles and assisted with the rearing of Pag-asa.
Meanwhile, Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio expressed support to the calls of the environmental groups in Davao City concerning their calls for the stoppage of the cutting down of century-old trees in Marilog.
On the other hand, in a public statement, Evasco stated that DENR 11 will endeavor to coordinate with the city government of Davao to validate and clarify if A and D (agricultural) areas and titled properties of Sitio Falcata, Barangay Salaysay are covered on the declared conservation area as a follow-up action for this issue.
