The endangered Philippine eagle named Pamana, meaning heritage, released in the wild on June 12 at the Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary in Davao Oriental was shot dead on Wednesday.

The eagle was first spotted with gunshot wounds in Iligan City, Lanao Del Norte three years ago in April 2012 and was rehabilitated by the Philippine Eagle Center before the bird was finally freed into its natural habitat.

Philippine Eagle Foundation or PEF Executive Director Danny Salvador said that Pamana was found dead with an approximately 5mm gunshot wound this time on her right breast and was already in an advance state of decomposition, which the PEF believed it could have died on August 10.

Salvador lamented that an estimated 400 birds are in danger of being hunted and killed.

PEF is yet to identify the person responsible for the killing of Pamana and if found guilty will face the consequences for violating Republic Act 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.