Residents rescue stranded dolphin in Currimao, Ilocos Norte

CURRIMAO, Ilocos Norte— Coastal villagers of Barangay (village) Victoria rescued a female spinner dolphin, which they named Jesusa Victoria, on Thursday, Dec. 25, Christmas Day.

Holiday beach goers found the dolphin near shallow waters.

The Philippine Coast Guard reported the dolphin rescue at 10:30 a.m., making it the 15th stranding case since January 2014, said Arthur Valente, fishery regulatory officer of the Provincial Agriculture Office and Ilocos Norte team leader of the Philippine Marine Mammal Stranding Network.

As of this posting, 15 volunteer responders including two veterinarians from the Provincial Veterinary Office have been treating the stranded dolphin at the beach. It was described to be in a “depressed” state.

The dolphin spans 1.67 meters and weighs approximately 45 kilograms.

Valente said “Jesusa Victoria” did not show wounds and scratches, but said the dolphin did not display any signs of buoyancy. He said the group took blood samples from the animal for a blood profiling study.

Valente theorized that the depressed dolphin might have been hungry, and was stranded as it searched for food.