PAMPLONA, Philippines- Aware of the need to save stranded mammals, residents of Barangay Allasitan in this town and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) work together to save a 1.76-meter pygmy sperm whale back into the sea.
Jefferson Soriano, BFAR veterinarian and focal person of the Philippine Marine Mammal Stranding Network (PMMSN), said there is no visible evidence that the mammal was wounded.
Soriano believed that the mammal was stranded due to strong waves while looking for anchovies as food as said barangay is among the identified places here where anchovies are abundant.
Jayson Tangonan, a fisherman who first saw the stranded mammal, immediately called help from BFAR personnel, local officials and local rescue team to save the whale.
After a thorough assessement done by BFAR personnel, the stranded mammal was immediately released back into the sea.
Soriano said that since their massive information dissemination on the need to save stranded mammals, coastal residents became aware of their responsibilities by bringing any incident of marine mammal stranding to the nearest agriculture office or BFAR station for immediate action.
Soriano added that the PMMSN has also provided series of basic trainings with hands-on experience on how to provide first aid and rescue to stranded mammals to local residents and local veterinarians and technicians so that they can give the necessary support while waiting for trained personnel to administer treatment if needed. Gene V. Baquiran/PIA
