Wounded dolphin found on Lingayen beach

A wounded 2.4-meter long spinner dolphin gets treatment at the National Integrated Fisheries Technology Development Center(NIFTDC) in Dagupan City. Photo courtesy of NIFTDC

DAGUPAN CITY, Philippines–A spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris) was found wounded early Monday on the beach at the back of the capitol building in Lingayen, Pangasinan.

The 2.4-meter long dolphin, which had a gaping wound on its back, was discovered by fishermen at about 1 a.m.

The fishermen immediately alerted lifeguards of the provincial disaster risk reduction and management office, who facilitated the transfer of the dolphin to the National Integrated Fisheries Technology Development Center (NIFTDC) here.

Westly Rosario, NIFTDC chief, said the dolphin may have been wounded by a fishing boat propeller.

He said while in the center, the dolphin’s wound would be treated until it heals or until the dolphin is strong enough to be released back into the ocean.