Stranded dolphin rescued in Pangasinan

A 2.48-meter-long rough-toothed dolphin is being rehabilitated at a facility of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Pangasinan after it was stranded in the shallow waters off Dasol town. (Photo courtesy of BFAR)

DAGUPAN CITY – A rough-toothed dolphin was rescued late Monday from the waters of Dasol, Pangasinan province by fishermen and local police.

The 2.48-meter-long dolphin was immediately transferred to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) facility in Alaminos City where it was given initial medical aid by personnel of the city veterinarian office.

A report from the BFAR showed the marine mammal was slightly buoyant, had bruises around the body, and had a healing wound on the abdomen.

“But it is responsive and is attempting to swim. Its breathing is within normal range, and both eyes are open,” said Hasmin Chogsayan, BFAR veterinarian.

But the dolphin has to be transported to Carias Island in the Hundred Islands National Park because the BFAR tanks are not big enough to contain it.

The BFAR is asking for volunteers to help during the rehabilitation of the dolphin.

The stranded female dolphin was named Marshy after Patrolman Dexter Marzo, one of the rescuers.

Chogsayan said the dolphin could have been a victim of blast fishing, as were most of the stranded marine mammals in Region I

She said rescuers tried to push it back to the sea, but it always returned to shore, until the rescuers asked the BFAR for assistance in bringing it to the facility.

The stranding gives hope to marine mammal lovers that it will survive after a pygmy killer whale (also a dolphin) was found dead in Magsingal, Ilocos Sur last March 17.

Chogsayan said most dolphins are listed under Appendix 2 of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.

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