Marcos lauds Singapore's role in ensuring survival of Philippine Eagle
A male Philippine eagle named Geothermica is seen in an exclosure at Jurong Bird Park in Singapore on November 27, 2019. Singapore unveiled two Philippine eagles at its main aviary, the first breeding pair of the critically endangered raptors to be brought outside their native country as part of a conservation plan. Roslan Rahman/AFP
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Wednesday acknowledged Singapore for aiding the Philippines in protecting the Philippine Eagle, the endangered national bird of the Philippines.
"I would like to acknowledge Singapore for ensuring the survival and propagation of some of the Philippines' endemic and endangered species, most notably the Philippine Eagle," Marcos said during a joint press conference with Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.
Wong is in Manila for a two-day official visit.
To recall, it was in 2019 when two Philippine eagles were flown to Singapore as part of a government loan program aimed at securing the population of the critically endangered species.
EXPLAINER: Majestic but critically endangered Philippine Eagle
However, Geothermica, one of the two Philippine eagles, passed away at the Mandai Wildlife Reserve on September 7, 2023, at the age of 19 years old.
The Philippine eagle, which has white and brown plumage and an enormous wingspan, is classified as "critically endangered" by protection group the International Union for Conservation of Nature. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
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