The Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) began its mission 38 years ago in Davao City. It started with a group of passionate individuals determined to save the critically endangered Philippine Eagle and protect the rich biodiversity that thrives alongside it.

 

In our early years, our facility in Baracatan served as a sanctuary for Philippine eagles and other native wildlife. However, growing security concerns in the area forced us to make a difficult decision. Known within the organization as “The Great Exodus,” we relocated from Baracatan to a quiet patch of land in Malagos in 1988, just a year after our formal establishment in 1987. There, we began building what would become a world-class conservation, breeding, and education facility—the Philippine Eagle Center (PEC).

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Step by step, our efforts grew. In 1992, our dedication bore fruit with the hatching of Pag-asa (“Hope”), the first Philippine Eagle bred and hatched in captivity—a milestone that captured the world's attention. Not long after, Pagkakaisa (“Unity”) followed, symbolizing collective effort and national pride. These historic events ignited public support and renewed awareness for our cause.

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Throughout the decades, PEF reached many milestones:

• In 1996, we launched our first Community-based Conservation Program in Salaysay, pioneering a grassroots approach that empowered locals to protect eagle habitats.
   

• By 2005, we celebrated the official declaration of the Mati Eagle Sanctuary, further cementing our commitment to local conservation efforts.
   

• Our Open Classroom Project allowed thousands of students to engage with nature through immersive, experience-based learning at the PEC.
   

We also embraced technology to strengthen our mission:

• In 2008, we equipped the first Philippine Eagle in Mindanao with a radio transmitter, followed by the first in Northern Sierra Madre in 2011—enhancing our understanding of their behavior and habitat needs.
   

• The Forest Guard Program (2011) and Culture-based Conservation Initiative (2012) emphasized the value of partnering with Indigenous and upland communities in conservation work.
   

Among our notable breeding successes:

• The world’s first successful hatching of a South Philippine Hawk-Eagle in 2012.
   

• The birth of Mabuhay in 2013, a second-generation Philippine Eagle produced through Cooperative Artificial Insemination, marking a new era in our breeding program.
   

Conservation victories continued:

• In 2016, we supported the establishment of Indigenous Community Conserved Areas in Mt. Manlaku, Mt. Tagub-Kampalili, and Mt. Mahuson.
   

• In 2018, the release of Bird of Prey—the first full-length documentary on the Philippine Eagle—brought our story to global audiences. The same year, we received the prestigious Aboitiz and RAFI Awards.
   

In 2019, the historic international loan of Philippine Eagles Geothermica and Sambisig to Mandai Nature in Singapore marked our growing international partnerships and recognition.

The pandemic posed unprecedented challenges, but also became a testament to our adaptability:

• Despite lockdowns, we rescued a record-breaking 10 eagles in 2020, compared to the usual 1–2 per year.
   

• We pivoted to digital learning experiences, including virtual tours and online education programs.
   

• Support poured in from individual donors and corporate sponsors through crowdfunding, becoming our lifeline in difficult times.
   

In 2023, we celebrated new milestones:

• The ALI Davao Carbon Forest (ADCF) was honored at the ASEAN Green Initiatives as one of Southeast Asia’s best ecosystem restoration efforts.
   

• We completed the first power line insulation at Mt. Sinaka, reducing risks to eagle flight paths and habitats.
   

Now on our 38th year, we recently transferred some of our breeding eagles to the National Bird Breeding Sanctuary, the first of its kind in the country. From humble beginnings to global recognition, the journey of the Philippine Eagle Foundation is a powerful story of hope, resilience, and unity. We are proud to continue leading the way in Philippine Eagle conservation.