A dead dolphin was found floating by a fisherman along the coast of Barangay Salvacion, Puerto Princesa City, this morning, April 20.
“Nakita siya ng mangingisda na palutang lutang; already dead. May nakataling lubid sa buntot,” said Mavic Matillano, project manager of World Wide Fund for Nature – Philippines.
She added that they examined the dolphin and were surprised to note that its stomach and intestines were empty.
“When we opened the abdomen, medyo bloated na. What’s surprising kasi empty stomach and intestines,” she explained.
She further clarified that there was no anomaly behind the death of the dolphin as there were no external injuries observed when it was examined.
“Wala naman foul play. That’s what we first did. Check kung pinatay o sinugatan, wala naman. Walang sugat, so walang attacks. Could [it] be namatay [dahil] sa gutom?” she quipped.
According to her, it’s possible that the dolphin was not able to eat as indicated by the absence of gastric contents.
“Could be [that the dolphin is hungry or sick], but I’m not in the position to say. Hindi na namin binuksan ng husto dahil nag-alisan na ang mga tao sa sobrang baho ng dolphin,” she added.
She was informed around 7:00 AM by Barangay Salvacion Punong Barangay Gerry Samosa and responded immediately to examine and open the dolphin.
Together with the fisherman, Benjie Tupas, who is also the barangay tanod, volunteer Eduard Bolen, and Barangay Captain Samosa, Matillano opened the carcass.
After the dolphin was checked, Barangay Captain Samosa, Tupas and Bolen, buried its remains in the island.
“They buried the dolphin sa island, wrapped in net so we can retrieve the bones after six to seven months. We need to check the skull to determine kung anong particular species,” Matillano further said.
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