Philippine Eagle Hatchling Dies Only After 17 Days — Philippine Eagle Foundation

The viral Chick #30, one of the most cherished Philippine Eagle hatchlings and the first to be hatched via artificial insemination died 17 days after hatching, the Philippine Eagle Foundation announced.

Photo: Philippine Eagle Foundation/Facebook

On November 30, the non-profit organization expressed with deep sadness that the Philippine eaglet had passed away on November 29 due to complications beyond their team’s control.

“Despite all our efforts and care, he lost his battle against a yolk sac infection, which likely caused him to struggle with weight gain,” it read.

Chick #30 hatched on November 11, 2024, marking a milestone as the first Philippine Eagle to hatch at the National Bird Breeding Sanctuary (NBBS) using a “help out” method. This technique involved assisted piping through specific areas of the egg where the membrane was unattached, ensuring the chick did not suffocate due to excess carbon buildup during the hatching process.

The chick was also a groundbreaking product of “cooperative artificial insemination,” made possible by the collaboration of Pinpin, a female eagle who naturally incubated the egg for a week, and Sinag, a male eagle at the Philippine Eagle Center (PEC).

The organization described Chick #30 as a “beacon of hope” for the Philippine Eagle conservation, as well as source of joy, noting that his online virality brought smiles to so many people.

However, his untimely death served as a reminder of how vulnerable and fragile Philippine eagles are in the country.

The Philippine Eagle Foundation added, “Chick 30’s life was far too short, but his memory will stay in our hearts forever. His story inspires us to work harder and remain steadfast in our mission to protect his kind.”

The statement concluded with the following statement: “In honor of Chick 30, together, let’s take a few moments today to step outside—whether in your garden, a park, or a woodland—and sit quietly and reflect on the plight of the Philippine eagles.”

The Philippine Eagle Foundation, established in 1987, is a non-profit organization dedicated to saving the endangered Philippine Eagle and its rainforest habitat.

Hailed as the national bird of the Philippines in 1995, the Philippine Eagle is one of the rarest birds in the world, with an estimated population of fewer than 500 individuals remaining.

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