By Sam Ramos
A juvenile Crested Serpent Eagle was released back into its natural habitat in Mount Sinai, Sergio Osmeña, Zamboanga del Norte, last week by personnel from the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO)-Piñan and the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO).
According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Zamboanga Peninsula, the eagle was turned over to CENRO-Piñan by a local resident, Nora Matias, who found the bird in her backyard in Sitio Sicoco, Del Pilar, Piñan, during heavy rainfall on November 17.
The eagle, identified as a juvenile Crested Serpent Eagle, was evaluated by the Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Veterinarian Office. The assessment confirmed the bird was in good health, with no visible injuries, deeming it fit for release into the wild.
Following the eagle’s release, CENRO and MENRO personnel conducted a house-to-house information drive in Sinai village, educating residents on wildlife conservation, climate change adaptation, and ecological solid waste management. Brochures were distributed to raise awareness about the importance of protecting natural habitats and wildlife species.
The DENR noted that the Crested Serpent Eagle, categorized as “Least Concern” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), plays a vital role in maintaining biodiversity.