15 July, 1995
TODAY IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY:
President Fidel V. Ramos signed Proclamation No. 615 declaring the Philippine eagle as the national bird.
The Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi), also known as the Monkey-eating Eagle, stands a meter high, weighs from four to seven kilograms, and has a grip three times the strength of the strongest man on earth. It has a 7 feet wingspan and can top speed at 80 kph.
The Monkey-eating Eagle is found only in the Philippines, particularly on the islands of Luzon, Samar, Leyte, and Mindanao. It is critically endangered due to massive loss of habitat due to deforestation. Killing a Philippine Eagle is punishable under Philippine law by twelve (12) years in jail and heavy fines.
(Ref: Philippine News Agency; Photo (c) Henrik Gronvold)