Dead sea cow found in Puerto Princesa beach
PHOTO FROM PCSD
PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, PALAWAN, Philippines — A dead male sea cow (Dugong dugon) was found dead by staff of a beach resort on the shore of Barangay San Rafael last Sunday, April 26.
Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff (PCSDS) said in its report that employees of Astoria Palawan saw the sea cow floating in the waters and being washed ashore by waves.
They then reported the incident to the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (City ENRO) and Bantay Dagat.
A composite team from PCSDS, City ENRO and Large Marine Vertebrates Institute of the Philippines (LAMAVE) immediately went to the area to conduct an inspection. Initial assessments stated that it was already dead for three days before it was found.
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The animal measured 2.46 meters and was found with wounds in different parts of its body, which is suspected to be caused by propeller blades of a pump boat. It also bore net marks in its body.
No further details were discovered because the sea cow is already in advanced state of decomposition.
After the necropsy, the animal was immediately buried. /cb
