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The legacy of Philippine eagle “Geothermica” lives on at the  National Museum of the Philippines. 

The remains of the 19-year-old raptor who met her untimely demise in September last year due to an infection, have been preserved through taxidermy and turned over as a permanent specimen exhibit at the  National Museum of Natural History section.

Along with Geothermica’s mate, “Sambisig,” the Philippine eagle pair became the country’s first Biodiversity Ambassadors. 

The two were sent to Singapore in 2019 as part of a Wildlife Loan Agreement between the Philippines and Singapore for an off-site captive breeding program in Singapore. 

The agreement was in line with the efforts to conserve critically endangered species, not only in terms of mating and reproduction but also for educational and information campaigns on forest management and biodiversity.

Unfortunately, Geothermica succumbed to infection despite efforts by veterinarians to save the eagle’s life.

First Gen’s pure renewable energy arm, Energy Development Corporation (EDC), adopted Geothermica at the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF)- Philippine Eagle Center in Davao City in 2012. It gave the eagle’s monicker after the company’s core business in geothermal energy.

“In more ways than one, ‘Geo’ truly represented EDC’s vision of a bright and green future of energy that nurtures all living creatures on this planet,” Ma. Nancy Ibuna, EDC Corporate Relations and Communications Department head, explained in a statement.

The unveiling of the taxidermy mount at the  National Museum was held recently to coincide with the annual celebration of Philippine Eagle Week and included a special exhibit on the national bird and its natural forest habitat.

“Geothermica will be a valuable part of the Philippine zoological reference collections that are here in the  National Museum,” said National Museum Director-General Jeremy Barns at the event.

“Each one of us has a critical role to play, whether supporting local conservation organizations, reducing our carbon footprint, or advocating for more robust environmental policies… Let us protect the Philippine eagle and all endangered species that share our planet,” said PEF Chairman Edgar Chua.

“We are here to celebrate the life of ‘Geo’ and the legacy that it represents in terms of our dedication to the conservation and preservation of valuable keystone species,” added Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga.

A unit of First Gen Corp., EDC is a 100 percent renewable energy subsidiary. It has over 1,464.5MW total installed capacity that accounts for almost 20 percent of the country’s total installed RE.

Its 1,169.85MW geothermal portfolio comprises 80 percent of the country’s total installed geothermal capacity, making the Philippines the third largest geothermal producer in the world.

 First Gen is the Philippines’ leading clean energy company.

https://businessmirror.com.ph/2024/07/07/national-museum-houses-phl-eagle-geothermica/