From the Brink of Extinction: The Inspiring Story of Maasim the Philippine Eagle

The Philippine eagle, standing at a meter tall, with a wingspan of over seven feet and dagger-like talons, is the country's top predator. It's possibly the most amazing creature one has ever seen in life, but with just 400 pairs left in the wild, it's one of the most endangered Raptors in the world.

Dan O'Neill, a biologist with a passion for birds of prey, was excited to hear the news that a Philippine eagle had been rescued from the ocean. He was determined to meet her for himself, traveling across the world to see this amazing bird released back to the wild and to meet the people who are saving her kind from the brink of extinction. Dan's journey would take him to some of the most dangerous parts of the Philippines, where he would get hands-on with these deadly predators in order to understand the importance they have to the people, the forest, and the future of conservation in this incredible part of the world.

In December 2019, a young Philippine eagle left her forest home and flew far out to sea. She never found her way back but was miraculously saved by two fishermen who named her Maasim. Without proper care, she endured several difficult days before the Philippine Eagle Foundation was called in to help.

Every single eagle is vital for conservation in the Philippines. As the country's national bird, each new release can lead to the protection of an entire forest. But as Dan is on his way to meet Maasim, things take a turn for the worse.

The great Philippine eagle, with its impressive stature of one meter tall, a 7-foot wingspan, and dagger-like talons, seems more like a mythical creature than a real one. Unfortunately, with only 400 pairs left in the wild, they are currently the most endangered raptors in the world.

The Philippine Eagle Center is a breeding facility that houses over 30 Philippine eagles. The center has a highly successful breeding program, with many of the birds being released into the wild. As a biologist, Dan finds the eagles to be one of the most impressive creatures, especially the Raptors.

Birds have always fascinated Dan. As direct descendants of one group of dinosaurs, they are prehistoric looking animals, and that's always fascinated him. Of all the birds, the most fascinating to Dan are birds of prey, or raptors, which include hawks, eagles, and falcons. Their sharp talons, powerful beaks, and incredible hunting abilities make them awe-inspiring creatures to observe and work with. 

Dan O'Neill served as the director, producer, and presenter of the project, with Ben Harris as the camera operator, and Matt Jarvis as the editor. Myles McLeod composed the original score, while Michele Caruso served as the dubbing mixer.

The project was a collaboration with the Philippine Eagle Foundation, which aims to save the critically endangered species through conservation efforts, research, and public awareness campaigns. For more information on their work, visit their website at https://www.philippineeaglefoundation.org/.