TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte - A wounded Philippine eagle (pithecophaga jefferyi) was retrieved by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Calbiga, Samar.

The Regional Eagle Watch Team (REWT) revealed that a group of hunters comprised of Pastor Abanag, Abar Galvez and Noynoy Mabahin found the large bird in Barangay Buluan, weak from loss of blood due to a gunshot wound near its breast.

Concerned barangay teachers applied first aid on the wounded bird and later reported that the captors wanted to turn-over to the DENR a ”banog,” or big bird in the local dialect.

Arnulito Viojan, team leader of the REWT in Eastern Visayas, verified the report, on which basis he was able to find out that said “banog” turned out to be a Philippine eagle, which is the considered the country’s national bird.

The first scheduled retrieval of the eagle didn’t push through as one of the hunters, Abanag, reportedly was hesitant in turning the bird over to the DENR, prompting Calbiga Mayor Melchor Nacario to order the its immediate retrieval.

The Viojan-led retrieval team rushed to Calbiga to secure the eagle from its captors.

Initial health assessment revealed that “Calbiga,” the name given to the wounded bird, had a bullet wound on its upper breast or pectoral area.