CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro: A female false killer whale measuring 4.57 metres long is undergoing intensive medical care after being stranded for the sixth time along the coast of Barangay Balete in this city, said Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)-Mimaropa in a statement Thursday (June 4).
The adult marine mammal, identified as a False Killer Whale (Pseudorca crassidens), was found alive but in a weakened condition. Responders said the whale showed signs of physical debilitation, reduced responsiveness, and traumatic wounds on its ventral and lower body areas.
The whale, estimated to weigh between 300 and 400kg, is currently under round-the-clock monitoring and treatment by personnel from BFAR-Mimaropa, the Calapan City Fisheries Management Office, the Philippine Coast Guard, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Bantay Dagat, and the Provincial Veterinary Office.
Authorities have been providing supportive care, including assisted feeding and hydration, while collecting blood samples for laboratory testing to determine the animal’s condition.
To protect the marine mammal from heat and other environmental stressors, responders also constructed a temporary shading structure at the stranding site.
BFAR urged the public to immediately report incidents involving stranded marine mammals and other protected marine wildlife to ensure prompt technical intervention and proper handling.
Marine mammals are protected under both international and Philippine laws, including the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the Philippine Fisheries Code.
Under Section 102 of Republic Act No. 8550, as amended by Republic Act No. 10654, it is unlawful to catch, possess, transport, sell, purchase, or otherwise exploit aquatic species listed under CITES Appendix I or classified as threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Violators may face fines ranging from P500,000 to P5 million, or five times the value of the species involved, whichever is higher.
Authorities appealed for public cooperation in protecting marine wildlife, emphasizing that timely reporting of stranding incidents can significantly improve the chances of successful rescue and rehabilitation. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
