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Friday, March 29, 2024

BFAR PFO-ZDS, LEAs, LGU Rescue Stranded Marine Mammal

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Pagadian City –  On March 26, Friday, a few hours shy of a weekend, a collaborative effort between law enforcement agencies (LEAs) and a local government unit led by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources – Provincial Fisheries Office of Zamboanga del Sur (BFAR PFO-ZDS) Marine Mammal Stranding Response Team resulted to the successful retrieval of a live marine mammal stranded in Purok Baybay, Barangay Napolan, Pagadian City.

Acting upon a report by a concerned citizen, the BFAR PFO-ZDS team immediately proceeded to the site of the reported incident. The sight of an obviously weak and very thin animal prompted the team to apply the simplest yet most sensible intervention, which was to provide support, making sure that its blowhole was kept above the water. During a period of two (2) weeks prior to this incident, sightings of a marine mammal suspected to be the very subject, believed to be an adult melon-headed whale (Peponocephala electra), had been reported numerous times.

The BFAR PFO-ZDS staff and concerned barangay residents, by order of Chairman Teofisto Tautuan, Jr, then took turns in keeping the marine mammal afloat while medical and logistical help was underway. After a short consultation with Dr. Rino D. Soria of the City Veterinary Office, who arrived later, it was agreed for the marine mammal to be transferred at some place where appropriate medical treatment could be administered. As such, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Zamboanga del Sur Station through a call made by Capt. Kenneth Lloyd M Sumugat, PCGA, who followed to the site, immediately provided a boat and sent some PCG personnel, which facilitated the swift transport of the marine mammal to the transfer site.

Members of the Pagadian City Maritime Police, whose office is just adjacent to the suggested transfer site later joined in receiving the marine mammal and assisted in securing it with a harness made from canvass, purposely to maintain support while it is under observation.

The LGU-Pagadian City Fisheries Office was of great assistance throughout the entire course of response. In fact, as of this writing, the marine mammal is in their care and watch.

(News & photo courtesy of BFAR IX)

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