(Eagle News) — The Philippine goverment has sent a pair of Philippine eagles to Singapore under a Wildlife Loan Agreement (WLA) between the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) on Tuesday, June 4, marking the first-ever overseas loan of Philippine eagles.
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, the pair named Geothermica, a 15-year-old male Philippine eagle, and Sambisig, a 17-year old female eagle, will be provided to the WRS and housed in Jurong Bird Park for captive breeding, as a further conservation measure.
During the send-off ceremony at the Ninoy Aquino International Terminal 2, Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for Asian and Pacific Affairs’ Meynardo LB. Montealegre presented symbolic passports under the name of the two eagles to Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) Chairman Ed Chua. The send-off ceremony was also overseen by Environment and Natural Resources Assistant Secretary for Staff Bureaus Ricardo L. Calderon.
“The passports underscore the Philippine identity of both eagles, doing their share in representing the country abroad, and that they remain the property of the Philippine government,” Assistant Secretary Montealegre said.
The project is part of the ongoing celebrations of the 50th Anniversary of Philippines-Singapore and diplomatic relations this year.
The Philippine eagle, the national bird of the Philippines, is featured prominently in the current Philippine electronic passport.
Diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Singapore were formally established on August 11, 1969.
The DFA said that various commemorative activities and events are being held throughout the year both in the Philippines and Singapore to mark the 50th anniversary.