Sperm whale found dead in Cagayan town

A dead pygmy sperm whale is being examined after it was found along the coastline of Magatan village in Sanchez Mira town, Cagayan province on Wednesday, Oct. 13. (Photo courtesy of BFAR-Region 2)

TUGUEGARAO CITY–An adult male pygmy sperm whale (Kogia breviceps) was found dead along the coastline of Sanchez Mira town, Cagayan province, according to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)-Cagayan Valley on Friday, Oct. 14.

In a statement, the BFAR said a fisherman in Barangay Magatan discovered the dead whale around 6:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

The Marine Mammal Stranding and Rescue Operation Task Force immediately conducted a necropsy to determine the cause of the animal’s death.

But an initial assessment showed the marine mammal, which was 2.10 meters long, might have been weakened by the “harsh weather” amid the onslaught of Tropical Depression “Maymay.”

Dr. Jefferson Soriano of the task force said a foamy fluid was found in the animal’s throat up to the lungs.

Soriano also said the whale had an empty stomach that contained heavy loads of parasites, although its internal organs were intact. It showed no internal bleeding, he added.

Tissue samples were collected and will be submitted for further examination by the Philippine Marine Mammal Stranding Network Laboratory. INQ

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