Dugong rescued in Quezon town

MANILA, Philippines—A dugong stranded in shallow waters off Infanta  in Quezon has been rescued by wildlife authorities and will be released when the seas have calmed, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources said Saturday.

A team from the environment department’s Biodiversity Management Bureau, formerly known as Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau, said the “neonate” or young male dugong (sea cow) was discovered Thursday by fishermen in Barangay Binulasan.

In a news release, BMB Director Ma. Theresa Mundita Lim said the young dugong was found stranded during low tide by fishermen Michael and Manuelito Nolledong, who immediately sought help from the local DENR office.

“Fortunately, when the report of the stranded dugong came in, a technical staff member from our Calabarzon office, forester Jeff Cruz, was in the area so he led the rescue, including the gathering of necessary data,” Lim said.

The dugong, which measures 1.06 meters long, has been transferred to the nearby barangay of Dinahican, also in Infanta, “to shield it from strong waves but will be released soon when the sea gets calm,” the official said.

“We have a technical team right now in the area led by a veterinary doctor, Dr. Rizza Salinas, to release the dugong as soon as the sea gets calm,” Lim said.

Other BMB personnel on hand to help in the release of the dugong back to the sea are Nilo Ramoso, Renato Borja and Bibiano Mejino.

Locally called “duyong or baboy dagat,” the dugong, a critically endangered species, belongs to the animal group Sirenia. They are air-breathing marine mammals like dolphins and whales.

“They could not stay long underwater; they have to surface from the water to breathe. Since they could not swim fast, they are an easy target of poachers who hunt them with nets, dynamite or spear guns,” Lim said.

She  urged coastal residents to report immediately any stranding of dugong to the nearest DENR office.