DAVAO CITY - Two Philippine eagles will be brought to Singapore next month as part of a breeding loan agreement to increase the eagles' population.

The pair, a 15-year-old male named Geothermica and a 17-year-old female named Sambisig, will be housed at Jurong Bird Park, which is managed by the Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS).

“Primary objective is to secure population of the species elsewhere. This is primarily to protect the Philippine eagle from threats of outbreak of diseases or calamities,” said Dennis Salvador, executive director of the Philippine Eagle Foundation.

According to Salvador, the DENR’s plan to loan Philippine eagles to other countries for breeding and conservation began 10 years ago but it was only approved this year.

This measure aims to protect Philippine eagles from bird flu and the effects of natural calamities.

“We didn’t have avian flu in the past but in the recent years nagka outbreak sa Pampanga and because of this nature, like this avian influenza, can potentially wipe out the entire captive flock in one go. we want to be sure na may gene pool tayo elsewhere,” Salvador added.

PEF believes the pair can produce offspring.

“They have the great potential of really bonding. And now in their prime breeding age. We basically want this thing to succeed as much as possible so were giving Singapore every opportunity they can to have a successful breeding program”, said Salvador.

There are 32 eagles under the care of PEC.

This is the first time the Philippines is lending Philippine eagles to another country. It comes as the Philippines and Singapore mark 50 years of diplomatic relations.