Mahagnao Volcano Natural Park

The critically endangered Philippine Eagle known as Lakpue has been successfully adapting to life in the forests of Leyte nearly a year after being translocated from Mindanao. During a recent monitoring activity, conservationists observed the 23 year old eagle perched near the Pangalaw-an River in Barangay Mahagnao, Burauen, where he was seen preening and exhibiting natural behaviors associated with wild eagles. Researchers report that Lakpue's activity area now covers approximately 613 hectares and continues to expand as he explores new parts of the forest.

Lakpue was rescued as a nestling in 2003 after being taken from a nest in Mt. Busa, Sarangani and later rehabilitated at the Philippine Eagle Foundation. He was released in Leyte as part of a conservation effort to restore the island's eagle population, which suffered severe losses following Typhoon Haiyan. Field observations indicate that Lakpue is hunting successfully on his own, feeding on prey such as monitor lizards, palm civets, and sailfin lizards while remaining within suitable forest habitat.

Conservationists are particularly encouraged because Lakpue is displaying behaviors typical of wild Philippine eagles, including hunting along riverbanks, moving through dense forest cover, and avoiding human settlements. Daily monitoring using radio and satellite transmitters helps protect the eagle from threats such as shooting and trapping while providing valuable information about his movements and adaptation to the release site.

Scientists hope Lakpue may eventually pair with Carlito, a female eagle previously released in Leyte. Such a pairing could help increase genetic diversity in the local population, an important conservation goal given recent findings that some Philippine eagle populations suffer from low genetic diversity. Researchers believe Leyte's forests may be capable of supporting up to 16 Philippine eagles, offering renewed hope for restoring the species on the island.

The Philippine Eagle is the national bird of the Philippines and is classified as critically endangered, with habitat loss remaining its greatest threat. Conservation efforts such as Lakpue's translocation demonstrate how science, habitat protection, and community involvement can work together to help secure the future of one of the world's rarest birds of prey.

Science Department |

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Sighting Success: Philippine Eagle 'Lakpue' Spotted in Mahagnao, Leyte

​MAHAGNAO, BURAUEN, LEYTE — In a significant milestone for wildlife conservation, the Philippine Eagle named Lakpue was sighted on Sunday, May 17, 2026, approximately three kilometers from the Mahagnao Eco Lodge.

​The sighting occurred during a media documentation mission conducted by field technicians from the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) and local forest guards.

​Location: Perched on a Hagimit tree near the Pangalaw-an River.
​Altitude: 288.9 meters above sea level.
​Behavior: The eagle was observed calmly preening its feathers before gliding roughly 20 meters to a neighboring branch.

​Released on September 30, 2025, in Kagbana, Burauen, Lakpue has spent the last eight months successfully navigating the Leyte wilderness. He is the fifth Philippine Eagle reintroduced to the province as part of the PEF’s mission to repopulate the species in Leyte, a population that was nearly decimated by the devastation of Typhoon Yolanda.
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​Conservationists are hopeful that Lakpue will eventually pair with Carlito, a female eagle from the initial 2024 release who has successfully adapted to the region. Carlito was left without a mate after her previous partner, "Uswag," tragically died after crashing into the sea.

​This sighting reinforces the resilience of the species and the effectiveness of the PEF’s continued reintroduction efforts in the mountains of Burauen.

Via/​Reported by: Nova Mae Francas

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