ALAMINOS CITY—A more than 200-kilo pilot whale was found beached along the coastal area in Barangay Bued here Tuesday and already in a deteriorating condition owing to injuries suffered.

Salvador Camba, barangay chairman of Bued, said the social sea mammal was seen floating with its belly turning up and down indicating its weak condition.

Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Regional Director Nestor Domenden said in a separate interview that it was a pilot whale based on reports from his office in the field.

The mammal showed parasites in its body when BFAR personnel came to check its condition, and when they tried to bring it further out to the sea it swam back, Camba said.

He suspected that the several injuries were caused by structures for oyster-growing.

Camba said a 50-kilo dolphin also found dead and beached in the area last month and was brought to BFAR Dagupan City where it was buried.

The barangay council had passed a resolution requesting the Department of Public Works and Highways to immediately dredge the river mouth in his barangay because it is already shallow and dolphins easily get trapped there when it’s low tide.

Camba said the pilot whale was still alive when it was brought near the docking area of bancas where the water was deep.

He said he had requested BFAR personnel that in case the pilot whale dies, it should be buried properly in order to ensure the proper preservation of the its bones for display in their soon-to-be-built mangrove information center.

He said the display will encourage children to learn about dolphins and whales and will help develop a protective attitude towards the beached mammals.

Camba said Mayor Arthur Celeste supports the plan. (Tita Roces)

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