Czech experts help breed Philippine eagle chick for the first time in 13 years
For the first time in thirteen years, conservationists have bred a chick of the critically endangered Philippine eagle, one of the world’s rarest birds of prey, using artificial insemination. The breakthrough in the Philippines was achieved with help from experts from Zoo Liberec. I discussed the breakthrough with the zoo’s bird curator, Jan Hanel.
Why is breeding the Philippine eagle so difficult, even in human care?
“Breeding eagles is generally difficult. But with the largest eagles, such as the Philippine eagle, it becomes even more complicated from many aspects. One reason is that in nature they normally nest only every other year. They lay just one egg and then feed the chick for two years. This makes the whole process very slow, so achieving results takes a lot of time.
“Our work there lasted three years. We first had to establish proper manipulation with semen, which is absolutely crucial. In tropical conditions, where temperatures are very high, semen deteriorates very quickly once the male voluntarily provides it.
“This is the principle of voluntary or cooperative artificial insemination. When semen reaches hot conditions, it can die very quickly. So you must use refrigerators, even mobile ones, to transport the semen correctly to the female.
“Last year we had our first small success, we had fertile eggs. Two chicks hatched, but they died. Artificial insemination is not the only challenge with Philippine eagles, caring for the chicks afterward is also very difficult.
“So we strengthened our partnership and organized workshops and training for the Philippine eagle staff here in the Czech Republic and in Spain. They were here during the last breeding season, which is in spring, so they had the opportunity to learn how to raise the chicks properly. They then took this know-how back to the Philippines and succeeded and I’m really happy and proud.”
How did the cooperation between Zoo Liberec and the Philippine Eagle Foundation begin?
“We have to go a little back into the history of Zoo Liberec. In the 1980s, more than 40 years ago, we built our first large breeding station for eagles and other birds of prey. Because of that, we have a long tradition and extensive experience in breeding and keeping birds of prey.
“We try to help many conservation projects around the world. In 2022 we contacted the Philippine Eagle Project, and since then we have been working together, mainly improving the breeding protocols.
“The keepers from the Philippines have visited us twice, and I have been there three times to help them during their breeding season, to establish the right routines and support them in achieving these results.”
How is the chick doing? Is everything going as expected?
“Yes, I can say that everything is going well. The chick is now three months old. We waited to see whether everything was developing in the right way before announcing this great news.
“At this stage, if something were to happen it would no longer be related to the breeding process. From my perspective, the key steps, artificial insemination and the rearing of the chick, have been successfully completed.
“Our colleagues in the Philippines have given it a name, Bayane, which means ‘hero’ in the Philippine language. Let’s hope he truly will be a hero and will survive all the difficulties.”
What does the successful hatching of this chick mean for the future of the species?
“It is a very big achievement. The project there started in 1986 or 1987, if I’m correct. In the beginning they had some success breeding chicks through pair bonding in aviaries, where a male and female were placed together and produced a chick.
“However, the birds grew older and the chicks were raised by humans, and because of that they were no longer suitable for natural breeding. The only remaining possibility was artificial insemination. Now we have succeeded, and hopefully our colleagues in the Philippines will produce at least a few more chicks in the future.
“There are not enough eagles living in the wild in the Philippines because the tropical forest is fragmented into smaller patches. From my point of view, without the reintroduction of captive-bred birds, the project will not move forward as quickly as it could.”
How many Philippine eagles live in the wild, and how endangered is the species?
“We do not know the exact number. We have some estimates, but what we can say with certainty is that the species is really on the brink of extinction. The tropical forests they depend on are still under pressure.
“Some estimates suggest there may be around 350 pairs, but in reality the number is probably lower. We know the eagles still live and breed there, but the populations are fragmented and isolated from one another. Because of that, the genetic diversity of the species in the wild is very low.
“That is why we need to help connect these small populations. By bringing birds from different areas together in breeding centres and aviaries, we can increase genetic diversity and produce genetically healthier chicks.”
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