Exclusive - Japenese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Adopts Philippine Eagle, Names it 'Sakura'

The Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, officially adopted a female Philippine Eagle rescued in Talaingod, Davao del Norte. The eagle had sustained a gunshot injury pre-rescue and was named Sakura by the Japanese government.

In a CNN report, The Philippine Eagle Foundation Inc. Executive Director, Dennis Salvador, reports that while the bullet is still lodged in the Sakura, she is taking well to relief efforts and is recuperating beautifully. The Japanese government has pledged to donate up to P125,000 annually for five years for the animal's recovery and rehabilitation. In addition to the adoption, they will also help build an educational facility in the Philippine Eagle Center itself.

The ceremony was the brain child of the Philippine government and was graciously accepted by Abe, making Japan the first foreign body to adopt our National Bird. Before the adoption, President Duterte took Abe for a tour of his simple life in Davao. He even showed the prime minister his kulambo and shared traditional Filipino foods like biko, suman, kutsinta, monggo soup, and native Davao fruits durian and suha.

Before leaving the country, Abe and his delegation also went to Mindanao Kokusai Daigaku, a Japanese learning institution, before concluding their state visit. Abe is the first foreign leader to visit the Philippines under Duterte reign.