Another whale killed by plastic

ANOTHER whale was killed by man’s destructive habit of wanton throwing of wastes.

A dead adult male pygmy sperm whale was found in the shore of Barangay Matina Aplaya, Talomo District on Sunday.

The whale measured three meters and weighed more than 200 kilos.

Darrell Blatchley, a marine expert, said the whale was emaciated and dehydrated, leading to his death.

Blatchley said they found a plastic cup and

nylon rope in the whale’s digestive system, blocking the intake of food.

“Stomach empty, intestines empty,” said Blatchley, owner of D’ Bone Collector Museum Inc.

Blatchley lamented that this is the fifth aquatic mammal to be found dead in Davao this year.

“All 5 (died) due to human (activity),” Blatchley said, adding that whales “keep dying but nothing changes.”

Since 2009, 63 whales and dolphins have been found dead in Davao Gulf, 47 of which have swallowed plastic trash mistaken as food.

Blatchley urged the public to properly dispose their garbage.