Whats New at NFEFI
Added to website: 19 November 2007
Rare Eagle Owl Hatched
A rare Philippine Eagle Owl egg hatched recently at the Negros Forests and Ecological Foundation’s Biodiversity Conservation Center (NFEFI-BCC) in Bacolod City. This is the third successful hatching of an owlet (Bubo p. philippensis) at the center.
NFEFI-BCC holds the world record for the first successful captive breeding of a Philippine Eagle Owl named ‘Bubo’ in 2005.
The latest owlet hatched after 35 days of incubation. The bird’s parents, named Mahinhin and Hinahon, are currently the species’ only breeding pair in the world. They are in Bacolod as part of a breeding loan program run in association with the Avilon Montalban Zoological Park and Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau Wildlife Rescue Centre (PAWB – WRC) with the support of Flora and Fauna International and the World Owl Trust.
“We are thrilled to see another owlet”, said NFEFI-BCC curator Dr. DJ Darwin Bandoy. “The mother laid an egg in August, but it did not survive. But there were no problems with the latest egg and the new arrival is healthy and growing well.”
The critically endangered Philippine Eagle Owl is endemic to the Philippines but is restricted to the islands of Luzon, Mindanao, Samar, Leyte and Bohol. Added Dr. Bandoy, “NFEFI-BCC welcomes support from concerned citizens. If any individuals, groups or schools would like to contribute to the upkeep of the new owlet or would like to be a member of NFEFI, we’d pleased to hear from them. They can call me on 433-9234”
