ILOILO – A bottlenose dolphin got stranded in Sitio Pandan, Barangay Nabitasan, Leganes town, prompting an immediate rescue response from a specialist team at the Institute of Marine Fisheries and Oceanology, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences (CFOS-IMFO) of the University of the Philippines Visayas.
The dolphin, a female weighing about 100kg and measuring 73 inches in length, was found during low tide on April 13, apparently unable to navigate back to deeper waters.
Marine animal strandings involve creatures like dolphins, whales, or sea turtles being found ashore or floating in shallow water, unable to return to the ocean due to various reasons, including injury or disorientation. This phenomenon can often be fatal if not promptly addressed.
Sitio Pandan, Barangay Nabitasan, rescuers conducted a thorough assessment of the stranded dolphin’s health, finding it in distress with a rapid heart rate and half-closed eyelids, alongside minor wounds and scratches but no major visible injuries.
The dolphin was carefully transported to deeper water using a boat provided by Leganes Bantay Dagat, where it successfully swam away.
Bottlenose dolphin species are commonly found in warm and temperate seas worldwide.
Known for their intelligence and charismatic nature, bottlenose dolphins are a frequent subject of marine research and conservation efforts due to their interactions with human activities and environmental changes.
The rescue operation in Leganes was led by Assistant Professor Dr. Cristy Acabado, director of CFOS-IMFO, and supported by a broad coalition of local stakeholders, including the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office, and Municipal Agriculture Office, along with the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary, Philippine National Police Maritime Group, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region VI, and local community members. (UPV/PN)
