Rescued dolphin transferred to Hundred Islands

ALAMINOS CITY – The one-eyed rough-toothed dolphin rescued in a Pangasinan town last month was transferred to a rehabilitation pen in Cariaz Island in the Hundred Islands National Park on Tuesday morning.

The sea mammal, which was named “Carol,” has been under rehabilitation and medication in a tank at the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) facility in Lucap, this city, since it was rescued on December 22.

The 2.3-meter long dolphin was found in the beach area of Labrador town and was immediately brought to BFAR by local officials.

Belmor Bugaoan, head of BFAR Fisheries Management Regulatory Enforcement Division, said the dolphin needed a bigger pen where it could move around and where there is regular flushing of water.

The dolphin would stay in the rehabilitation pen until she is fit to be released back to the sea, he said.

Aside from being blind on the left eye, she had wounds and scratches on her body when found by fishermen.

She is also being treated for respiratory tract infection and is undergoing physical therapy to improve her balance.

Bugaoan said the rescued sea mammal is fed fish and squid. YOLANDA SOTELO-FUERTES/lzb