Carcass of rare dolphin found
BACOLOD CITY – An Irrawaddy dolphin, a critically endangered species, was found dead at its decomposition stage along the nearshore of Sitio Can-itum, Brgy. Sampinit in Bago City, Negros Occidental on Sunday.
Marine biologist Mark de la Paz of University of St. La Salle Center for Research and Engagement, one of the first responders at the site, said that they found a carcass of Irrawaddy dolphin, in which identified in an advanced state of decomposition in the mangrove area of Purok Batad in Sitio Can-itum.
He said that Antonio Guaro, found yesterday the carcass and immediately reported it to Bantay Katunggan responder Rex Magbanua.
On January 3, Bantay Katunggan has already received a report from fishermen Edwin Flores and Gerome Salay that there was a dead dolphin with puncture wounds reportedly found floating in the area.
But when Magbanua tried to retrieve the carcass, he was not able to find it until Guaro reported it again yesterday, de la Paz said.
The marine biologist said that the carcass was already being eaten by maggots and already at the advanced state of decomposition, which they referred to as “code 4 stranding” or badly decomposed.
This kind of stranding is described to have obvious signs of bloating, decomposition, skin, and blubber peeling off, holes in the carcass, internal organs ruptured or protruding from orifices or holes caused by decomposition or other animals feeding on the carcass.
De la Paz also said that it had a punctured wound on its right lumbar side but cannot be determined if it was caused by injury or by the maggots.
The carcass was left to rot in the mangrove area as may be hazardous to move it, he said, adding that it might cause any infections if it will be moved by the respondents in the area.
It was identified as an adult dolphin and the marine biologist was not able to identify its sex because of decomposition.
De la Paz said that approximately, there are only 9 to 19 species of Irrawaddy dolphin found in the Bago-Pulupandan area, making it a critically endangered species.
With this, he reminded the public to observe the ordinance on the Marine Protected Areas of Bago and Pulupandan, especially the no-fishing, slow-boat zones.