A unique eagle species was found by a Bauang local, George Perez, 23 years old, from Barangay Paringao, last Friday, October 25, 2024 at 11:00AM along the coast of Bacnotan. Mr. Perez was with his friend, a Bacnotan local, at the time. The eagle was found by a creek, soaked in water, due to strong wind and rain. Mr. Perez then went home to Brgy. Paringao in Bauang with the eagle and reported it to his local Barangay Captain, Hon. Michael Balagot, and Bauang Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO), who then called the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region I. The eagle was successfully turned over to DENR, represented by Mr. James Barucha, the next day, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024.

The eagle species was identified as “Brahminy Kite” and is found in Southeast Asia and Australia.

“Brahminy kites are not considered globally threatened at present. However, their populations are declining due to hunting and collection of nestlings, disturbances, overuse of pesticides, and habitat loss.” (animalia.bio)