The Philippine Eagle Foundation announces its first unassisted Philippine eagle hatch in 38 years. Photos courtesy of the Philippine Eagle Foundation/Facebook

MANILA — The Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) has announced its first-ever documented unassisted natural hatching of a Philippine eagle, calling it a "groundbreaking achievement" in its 38-year history.

In a Facebook post Tuesday, the PEF said the natural hatching of Riley, its Chick No. 38, happened on Jan. 16, 2025. Riley was the offspring of the foundation's eagles Sinag and Dakila, it said.

The PEF said the milestone was a "true testament to the resilience and strength" of its conservation efforts for the endangered eagles.

"Riley is growing stronger every day," the PEF said, adding that the newly hatched eagle would be transferred to a bigger nest on Wednesday to accommodate her "growing size."

"Riley’s arrival is a symbol of hope and a reminder of the importance of unity in protecting our natural heritage," it added.

CHICK NO. 30

Another Philippine Eagle chick hatched via artificial insemination in November but died the next month in a setback for one of the world's largest and most critically endangered raptors.

Habitat loss and ruthless hunting have caused a rapid decline in the number of Philippine Eagles, the national bird of the archipelago country.

Philippine Eagle hatchling dies in conservation setback

"This heartbreaking loss is a solemn reminder of how delicate chick-rearing can be and how critically endangered species are particularly vulnerable," the Philippine Eagle Foundation said.

A product of artificial insemination, the 17-day-old male chick had been the first successful hatchling in the new facility.

Complications from a condition known as "yolk sac retention" were the possible cause of death, the statement said.

The condition, common in poultry farms, indicates the entry of bacteria through incubating eggshells, or chick exposure to bacteria after hatching.

CHALLENGES

Philippine Eagles, known for their sumptuous head plumage and a 2-meter (seven-foot) wingspan, are difficult to mate, with some even killing unwanted suitors.

There are only 392 pairs of the eagles remaining in the wild, with just 30 born in captivity, the foundation estimates.

The organization's ultimate goal is to release the eagles back into the wild, but it has not once succeeded in its 37 years of operation.

Many Philippine Eagles have died after being shot or electrocuted while perched on power lines.

Each pair needs at least 4,000 hectares (about 10,000 acres) of forest, a rapidly disappearing ecosystem in the Philippines, to hunt flying lemurs, palm civets, flying squirrels and monkeys.

While underweight, the latest chick had initially displayed normal behavior and feeding patterns until November 26, when it began to exhibit labored breathing and sneezing, the foundation said.

"Of all the chicks that they've successfully hatched and raised, this is the first time that the (foundation) breeding team had a case of yolk sac retention, which is usually linked to infection or other causes," Bayani Vandenbroeck, who conducted the necropsy, was quoted as saying.

"Strict hygiene and management protocols were followed, so we did not expect this at all, but we will probe where else we can improve," he added.