Part of a campaign to protect one the world’s most endangered species, the Philippine Eagle Nature Center gives visitors a chance to view these enormous creatures up close.
The Philippine eagle is the largest eagle in the world when it comes to sheer size, standing well over three feet tall with a wingspan of six-and-a-half feet. It soars over the jungles of Mt Apo, the tallest mountain in the Philippines, where it hunts reptiles, flying lemurs and even monkeys.
The Philippine Eagle Foundation runs the conservation program, working with 36 birds (half of which were bred in captivity) in an environment that simulates a natural rainforest. Other animals including several bird species along with a few reptiles and mammals are cared for at the center.
Visitors can attend short educational programs. Keeper Talk is a chance for visitors to interact with an eagle while learning about it from the caretaker. There is also an interesting falconry activity, where the birds are released outside of the enclosure where they put on an aerial performance.
Getting There & Away
Access is through Calinan, which can be reached by bus or hire car from Davao in less than an hour. From here there are pedicabs waiting to take tourists to the nature center. Visitors pay a nominal fee twice: once to enter the Davao City Water District and once at the gates of the nature center. Guided tours are included with admission.